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dancermk · 5 months

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HELLO MY FELLOW TRAVELERS!

I, like many viewers, have been completely entranced by Hawk and Tim’s love story in Fellow Travelers. As a mature queer person, this show has been very emotional, and I am deeply invested. (I WILL riot if Tim doesn’t get to die in Hawk’s arms, and know that he is, and has always been, loved by Hawk.) But I digress.

Something that I have been fascinated by are the differing opinions that have surfaced about the characters, especially Hawk. I’m not looking for any arguments here, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and this is simply mine. To me, Hawk falls hard and fast for Tim. He breaks all his own rules for Tim - they topple over like a house of cards.

When we are introduced to Hawk, he’s cold and heartless with the men he hooks up with - they are nothing more than a body to fulfil his sexual needs and desires. He doesn’t do repeats and he doesn’t bring them home. But Tim, he instantly begins returning to, gets him a job, then allows him into his own apartment, etc. When Tim pushes back, Hawk relents further, letting him in emotionally, sharing parts of his past, crossing lines by introducing him to others in his circle, and so on.

Hawk is a traumatised man, carrying guilt and anger and shame, and a bucket load of fear! Yes, he has some internalised homophobia, but interestingly, he’s also extremely righteous about his homosexuality -and I don’t believe he thinks being gay is wrong in any way. (His response to his father is indicative of this).

I can personally say that I’ve never thought it was wrong to be queer, yet I spent much of my life hiding who I was and feeling shame. It’s an odd thing! Perhaps it is that the shame forms purely from what is outside of us, while what is inside of us can love another person of the same sex, knowing it is right and pure. Perhaps these contradictions between self and society are what causes so much pain and conflict?

But back to Hawk. Hawk is undoubtedly most affected by his teenage first love experience. A love that he fucked up through his own fears (fear for many men is unacceptable and a sign of weakness), and now carries the burden of believing he is responsible for their death. Hawk doesn’t allow himself to love again, until Tim. And we see many times throughout the show how much Hawk fears losing Tim. And in the end he’ll have to face that fear. I think that, in part, not attempting to have a life with Tim, is also fuelled by his fear of fucking it up and losing Tim - so it’s easier to just not attempt it! In episode 7, when he loses his son, part of that spiral is Hawk recognising that he can’t really prevent loss, and he wasted his life trying to be something he’s not - still losing his child and Tim along with it.

But Hawk is a survivor! And no one has the right to hate or judge him for it. I don’t think some young people truly understand what it feels like to live in a world where who you love can put you in jail, and destroy your life. I grew up in the 70s/80s and my experiences were bad enough, but I try so very hard to think about what it was like before that! When being queer was a crime and a mental illness! That’s pure terror! And for Hawk, he chose to survive the best way he knew how, and he wasn’t able to change because that’s fucking hard when all you’ve known is living in constant ‘fight or flight,’ and when have chronic trauma and experience collective trauma.

I think in episode 8 we’ll finally get to see Hawk grow - I certainly hope so - because he deserves to be free. Our beautiful Skippy has been free for some time, and while we mourn for the cruelty of a world that would take such a truly decent man, I am glad he got to live freely. Being closeted is the worst kind of suffering- a compartmentalised and fragmented existence where you are never truly whole, and therefore can never be the best version of yourself.

Before I go, I just wanted to also talk about being in a closeted relationship-which I experienced in my youth. I think that Hawk and Tim’s intense and toxic and exquisitely beautiful relationship, in part, arises from this. Because two closeted people in love live their relationship in secret, in a bubble, only in certain rooms, with none of the outside world reflected back at them. It becomes the two of you against the world. It’s so insular. Hawk and Tim literally live their 1950s relationship within two rooms - their apartments. All their memories are held within those walls. And it only belongs to them. They know each in ways that no other living soul does. It’s all-consuming and often unhealthy, but also stupidly romantic.

Anyway, sorry for this long winded post that no one will read and is likely full of grammatical errors because I’m tired! This atheist is praying we get everything we need from episode 8! Acceptance, forgiveness, understanding resolution, healing and a whole lot of love! ❤️

Cheers queers! 🏳️‍🌈

PS Matt and Johnny are exquisite on and off screen and I am so thankful to them for bringing these characters and this story into our lives!

#fellow travelers #hawk and tim #hawkins fuller #tim laughlin #hawk and skippy #matt bomer #jonathan bailey #lgbtqia #queer media

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dianels · 11 months

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Willow 2022 In Memoriam (for now)

Willow 2022 is no longer available for legal viewing in any format, anywhere. We hope it will be resurrected at some point, somehow, but TPTB at Disney have given us no concrete reason or timeline to expect its return. (Jon Kasdan, the show runner, has tweeted cryptic messages but is not in a position to make key decisions, nor to share details.)

First and foremost, I grieve for kids who now will not have the chance to stumble upon this wonderful show with a diverse/queer cast on a platform with the reach of Disney+. I can’t express in words how much I appreciated being able to watch this show with my enby 11-yo kid. Of course I also regret losing the opportunity to build the fandom over time with new viewers, as the Princess Bride did after a lackluster box-office opening in 1987, and I feel so angry on behalf of the creatives who poured their efforts and craft into this project. But I grieve even more the potentially life-saving representation that young people might have benefited from, and I fear for the chilling effect Disney’s decision might have on greenlighting queer/diverse projects aimed at younger audiences in the foreseeable future.

On a personal note: Actor Erin Kellyman has mentioned in interviews that playing the role of Jade Claymore helped her work on childhood issues, and I feel similarly about what watching the show has done for me. I was raised in central Kansas in the 1970s and 80s, a gender-non-normative “tomboy” lacking any mainstream queer representation. I don’t recall even learning the words “gay” and “lesbian” in the queer context until high school, and of course when I did, they were corrupted by ridicule and shame. Fortunately, I had a very strong sense of self and managed to survive and to thrive as a lesbian as soon as I went elsewhere for college.

I grew up as a fan of all the Lucasfilm franchises (including the original movie Willow, released in 1988). While I identified with both Leia and Han to a degree (and shipped them), something always felt off. There was something lacking in that magical Lucasfilm world. It was not just overt queer and diverse representation; it’s also the case, for example, that the entire original Star Wars trilogy does not pass the Bechdel-Wallace test. The original Indiana Jones trilogy barely does. (Criteria: there must be at least two named women who talk to each another about something besides a man.) Willow 1988 is the rare exception in early Lucasfilm that satisfies the Bechdel-Wallace test without our having to squint. As a fan of the original Willow, I found that Willow 2022 matched its spirit brilliantly and expanded its potential in such interesting directions.

I can’t begin to say how much it would have meant to me growing up to have had Willow 2022 within the Lucasfilm universe, for all these reasons. I really believe that a series like this would have changed the whole trajectory of my life - I am turning 50 soon - even when I count myself so very lucky to have had a supportive family and a strong sense of self. I am grateful that the first season of Willow 2022 exists at all, and it truly has propelled me to do a lot of important healing work around the childhood trauma of growing up queer at a time and place that was totally lacking in positive mainstream representation.

But it’s not enough: Willow 2022 should be made available for legal viewing in some form as soon as possible to keep saving lives and changing lives for the better.

#tanthamore #willow 2022 #willow disney+#jade x kit #kit x jade #kit tanthalos #jade claymore #erin kellyman #graylora #willow ufgood #wlw shows #queer pride #queer romance #diverse stories #lucasfilm #willow 1988 #star wars

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mtkay13 · 9 months

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So I made those as requested by abscess chemical on twitter and figured it may be fun to share them on tumblr as well. And you know what? Share a break down of my choices as well, because why not! I tried doing it seriously haha.

Zhou Zishu:

Intense - 6/10: He can be very intense, re the things or people he's invested in, but he also has a chill and detached quality to him, a way of being at peace with things that he won't blow things out of proportions.

Complex - 9/10: I think that he's a very nuanced, multi-faceted and deep character, but I guess I didn't go 10/10 just because there's also a very straightforward and easy to get part of him (esp. from WKX's perspective.

Fruity - 2/10: I think the guy's very gay but not the most bombastic about it LBR.

---

Angst-lord: although it's not as obvious in TYK, QY gives us some EXTREMELY tasty ZZS angst and a good look into how ZZS can process things through anxiety. It definitely got more lowkey post-QY canon, but...

Flavor container: IDK what that means really but I wanted to tick it

Soft and sweet: I actually didn't check it on the twitter version initially (but published an erratum). He is described as soft on the inside by too many people not to check it.

Braincell haver: self-explanatory, the guy's brilliant

Chew toy: literally!

----

Tragic backstory: if QY can count as a backstory, then everything that happened with Jiuxiao works.

Frequently violent: duh

Sidekick owner: WKX is ZZS's sidekick from everyone else's perspective (or vice-versa) and my opinion abt it won't change ever.

Pet stray animals: ZCL, for one, and for two we all know he pets cats and raccoons

Chronic insomniac: technically, in TYK, the nails do force the insomnia, but we know from QY that he had a lot of trouble sleeping at night.

Murderer: well

----

Just some guy 95%: clearly he's a natural-born NPC/side character

Too many thoughts 100%: he overthinks everything!!

Awful company 15%: I think that a goofy drunkard like him is fun but not the best company, especially when he goes all grumpy shifu/shixiong

Beloved by all 60%: most characters REALLY like him (and the others don't even know he exists) and often praise how sweet he is. Charming against his will and attempts at being invisible uwu

Trauma x1000 10%: again, I think that the Jiuxiao story left deep scars.

Helps others for fun 70%: pretty much the plot of TYK

Scary-smart 80%: I think he's really brilliant but then you have these moments where he's just clueless abt stupid stuff and clearly doesn't care/doesn't want to know or try so those 20% left are the deliberate goof I guess.

1000 weapons and tools 50/50: it's both!! every rock is both a tool and a weapon and he just keeps pulling random shit from his bosom--

At peace with life 48%: I think, for the most part, he is--at peace with both life and death, until he decides that keeping on living is just the best option in the end.

Break the rules 80%: I had no idea w this one but... in TYK he pretty much does whatever he wants, so---

Extra comments: The way the "evokes" ticks every boxes for me to various degrees of intensity... sigh It was difficult for the "want them to have" section since I think he has everything post-canon, but I tried seeing it from a mid!canon perspective.

----------------------------

Wen Kexing

Intense - 9/10: While WKX's feelings are generally cold, they seem equally intense to me, just like his eyes or his stare. He's intense about his love, about his revenge, about his plans.

Complex - 6/10: I've had interesting convos about how WKX is... nuanced, of course, but not as complex or deep as it may seem on the surface. That doesn't take anything from how interesting he is, but he is rather straightforward in what he is, ultimately.

Fruity - 8/10: I MEAN--

----

Enemy of the State: he's literally THE main Jianghu villain

Flavor Container: I still don't know what it means but it felt right once again

Braincell haver: the guy is EXTREMELY smart and outsmarted everyone in TYK so yeah

----

Tragic backstory: can hardly do worse than parents murdered in front of you, ate your dad to survive, took care of a child in the wildest, most dangerous part of jianghu, fought to reach the top while "serving" the previous master........ He scored it all!

Orphan: again, fully checks out

Frequently violent: yes

Has enemies: in SPADES

Sidekick owner: GX and ZZS are WKX's sidekicks 100%

Murderer: yes

----

The antagonist of life 70%: had to change from protag to antag because he IS the TYK antagonist (if TYK had been a traditional wuxia from ZCL's perspective...); of course it ends up being subverted but you know

Too many thoughts 75%: I think he's a big thinker as well

Awful company 85%: Let's be real guys

Hated by all 30%: I think he's too underestimated or not even really acknowledged enough to be hated, but I am pretty sure that more people dislike him than the opposite

Trauma x1000 60%: well.......... I think he has a bunch!

Sadistic for fun 15% : I doubt he's one to like helping and we know him to have those sadistic tendencies

Scary-smart 80%: same reasoning as for ZZS

1000 weapons or tools: mostly bare handed for everything save for the occasional whip or walnut shell but---

Enemy of god 35%: I have to be honest I don't really know what that means but I guess he's defied death a few times!!!

Break the rules 95%: WKX shits on the rules

----

Additional notes:

Mostly ticks everything in the "evokes" categories as well, but I unticked "symptoms of projection" because I don't feel like I project much of anything on WKX... maybe? (save for the ZZS lewding.. LOL) always hard to say, IG we always do a bit of that on every character, eh

and The Horny ofc because i'm kinda known for not really lewding my good WKX atp

I want a lot of things for him during canon, but again, all I can think of is how post-canon WKX really got it and then I gush and am simply happy for him.

That's it thank you for reading this mostly unnecessary breakdown!!!! Edit, following a comment asking for the sheet:

#wenzhou #wen kexing #zhou zishu #tyk #meta

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bnhabeans · 10 months

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Class 1a pride headcanons let's gooooo 🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Going by seat order bc I'm autistic and it makes good sense

Also no mineta bc I don't know what to do with him

1. Aoyama 🌟🩶

Nonbinary and aspec. They aren't sure if they have a definitive gender one way or another but if anyone asks they just say "sparkling of course!! ✨️" as for sexuality/romantic attraction they are asexual and still questioning their romantic alignment. Honestly they would be happy going through life with maybe some qpps and not really thinking too much about it

2. Mina 👽🩷

Bi as hell babey!! Everyone is gorgeous in their own way!! Mina falls in love so fast and with so many people she's just like. Everyone deserves love and if she's gotta be the one to give it then so be it.

3. Tsu 🐸💚

Distinguished lesbian. Not afraid to tell the other 1a girls what makes them attractive. Tsu loves complimenting ppl and feels very proud of herself whenever the other girls get flustered bc she knows it means she's made their entire day.

4. Iida ⏩️💙

Bisexual and doesn't know what to do about it. Has many panicked conversations with Tensei over finding people attractive and feeling very weird about it bc they all live together and also puberty hormones hit him like a truck about a month or so after meeting everyone.

5. Ochako 🌌🩷

Pansexual. Very proud of it. Often seen very loudly validating her classmates identities and making sure that any potential homophobes and transphobes know that they will be punted into the stratosphere if they so much as breathe wrong in the general direction of anyone ochako cares about

6. Ojiro 🐒🤎

Token cishet. Great ally tho.

7. Kaminari ⚡️💛

Nonbinary and bisexual. Pronouns vary by the day. Often jokes that they've never made a decision in their entire life because of this. When they go pro there ends up being an official line of Chargebolt merch that has the slogan "gender? I don't even know'er!" On it.

8. Kirishima 💪❤️

Bisexual but kind of oblivious to it. Equates attraction to admiring someone for being "manly." It is discovered at some point during his years at UA that his personal definition of manly just encompasses all the traits that he finds attractive in a person plus other traits he admires but isn't necessarily into. This makes for a very confusing journey of self-discovery.

9. Kouda 🐇🤍

Grey ace. Questions his gender sometimes but is not overly concerned with what gender is the right one. More interested in solid friendships than dating too and so he ends up with qpps as his most meaningful relationships

10. Sato 🍫💛

Stereotypical cake loving aro ace. He doesn't care what everyone else is doing, he's busy perfecting his ganache.

11. Shouji 🤝🩵

On the ace spectrum but still figuring out exactly where. He has body image issues due to trauma and that kind of effects his views on attraction and romance.

12. Jirou 🎵💜

She thinks she's bi but she's still figuring it all out. Honestly anyone that can vibe to music with her could catch her eye, and she especially likes people that have slightly odd tastes such as listening to classical music or pre-quirk pop*

*(this is based on the headcanon that bnha takes place a couple hundred years into the future. Pre-quirk pop would just be the pop of the 80s up to about now in her view)

13. Sero 🩹🩶

(I couldn't find a tape emoji so bandaid it is)

Pansexual. He and ochako get along very well bc not only do they share an identity in this way, they also both feel like they're parenting their respective neurodivergent friend groups lol.

14. Tokoyami 🐦‍⬛🖤

Homoromantic ace. Sometimes does Bird Things to show his affection like bringing gifts and trinkets to ppl he is interested in or like nesting with their stuff. He finds these urges embarrassing but everyone else thinks it's cute and adores him for it.

15. Todoroki ❄️🔥❤️🤍

Gay gay homosexual gay. Has absolutely no idea how romance or crushes or teenage hormones or anything is supposed to work so he just does not realize that it isn't normal to daydream about cuddling his male classmates. Ochako gently explains the concept of a crush to him after he mentions something about this offhand and it blows his fucking mind.

16. Hagakure 🌫🤍

Bisexual and a very proud member of the Loving Women Club. Has a huuuuggeee crush on Mirko (which like, same girl).

17. Bakugou 💥🧡

Gay. Has a very specific taste in men but he won't tell anyone what it is because like three people on the entire planet fit the criteria (in his mind anyway) and he does not want anyone figuring out who he might be into because he sees it as weakness. Even after he goes to therapy he describes his type as "certain dumbasses who have issues and can't take a single fucking hint" so.

18. Deku 🐰💚

Bisexual disaster and everyone around him knows it. Has like 3 crises a day over finding random classmates attractive and overthinks everything there is to overthink in the situation. Luckily for him everyone knows what he's like and how his brain works and they find it endearing (even if certain classmates won't say it out loud)

19. Yaomomo ⚛️❤️

Lesbian. Momo recognizes that all the girls around her are so pretty and talented and it's a win for her bc they have such a culture of uplifting each other so she's constantly getting compliments from very pretty girls. She's living her best life as the president of the loving UA women club.

Bonus: shinso!!! 🐱💜

Shinso uses the Queer umbrella label. He has a preference for men but is generally attracted to any gender. When he transfers into class A the first two weeks are like a constant crisis bc he's like. Getting attention from all these attractive and talented people??? And they like him for who he is??? Paralyzing.

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straightplayshowdown · 8 months

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Angels in America: In the first part, we meet Louis and Prior and Harper and Joe, two couples whose relationships are on the rocks: the former because of Prior’s AIDS diagnosis and Louis’s inability to cope with illness, the latter because of Joe’s closeted homosexuality and Harper’s incessant fears and hallucinations, as well as her addiction to pain-killers. The second part focuses on the story of Prior Walter, a gay man living with AIDS who has recently been left by his partner, Louis, after he could not cope with the physical and personal impact of the disease.

The Baltimore Waltz: In a series of comic vignettes underlined by tragedy, the farce traces the European odyssey of sister and brother Anna and Carl. They are in search of hedonistic pleasure and a cure for her terminal illness, the fictitious ATD (Acquired Toilet Disease) she contracted by using the bathrooms at the elementary school where she teaches. Knowing her life is nearing its end, Anna is driven by a lust that compels her to have casual sex with as many men as possible during their travels, a passion shared by her gay brother. Assisting the pair is the mysterious Third Man. The play actually takes place in a hospital room in Baltimore, Maryland, where Carl has a terminal illness, and Anna is imagining the trip that the two never took.

Propaganda under the cut!

Angels in America:

painful funny surreal and down to earth all at the same time somehow, even without being a landmark piece for me personally w/ regard to queer literature

The Great American Play. The definitive exploration of how AIDS affected an entire generation of queer Americans in the '80s, and what it left behind in its wake. Those more eloquent than I am will be better at doing this play justice, but my sincerest hope is that the sheer significance of this work is clear enough to carry it all the way through to the highest end of this showdown.

honestly the peak of modern theater 2 me. everything i write and create is in the hopes that i might someday make something that lives up to the bar that angels set. it treats every one of its characters with such depth and compassion and the world it creates is so vivid and fantastic. and the context in which it was created will always be beyond important to me like i don't know how to describe how important it is that a play widely considered an american classic is about the aids crisis. she's the blueprint she's perfect she's everything

genuinely changed my life when i first read it. andrew garfield played prior walter in the 2018 national theatre version and he fucking kills it. it's 6 whole hours of joy and heartbreak and, most of all, hope. stan harper pitt!!!

This epic stageplay has become more accessible since its HBO miniseries adaptation in 2003. It is epic, intersectional, commemorative of a collective trauma that had been silenced for too long at the time of writing. (also Harper deserves to be as much a Tumblr Sad Girl icon as Lana del Rey or Sylvia Plath.)

The Baltimore Waltz:

Paula Vogel's brother died of AIDs. A few years before being diagnosed, he tried to get her to go on a trip to Europe with him, but she was busy. This play explores that imagined trip, but it also a lot more complicated.

#polls #round 1 #angels in america #the baltimore waltz #the straight play showdown

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denimbex1986 · 3 months

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'Six BAFTA nominations, universal critical acclaim, and not a dry eye in the house: Andrew Haigh’s ghostly gay romance All of Us Strangers is already the must-watch queer film of the year.

Based loosely on 1987 novel Strangers by Taichi Yamada, All of Us Strangers follows Fleabag star Andrew Scott as a depressed and isolated queer writer in his forties, who is still reeling from the death of his parents three decades earlier.

In one week, his world changes: not only does he spark up a deep and beautiful romance with younger neighbour Harry (Paul Mescal), but he returns to his childhood home and reunites with his parents – despite them being dead.

Across weeks, he gets to have the vital, moving conversations with the apparitions of mum (Claire Foy) and dad (Jamie Bell) that he was too young to have when they passed, as his romance with Harry blossoms.

Though Yamada’s original novel features a straight protagonist, Andrew Haigh recently explained to PinkNews why he, as a gay man, couldn’t have told his version of the story without centring the queer experience.

“What I’ve always been interested in doing, and especially with this [film], is talking about queerness in relationship to family, and how complicated it can be in relationship to family,” he shared, “especially if you grew up in a generation of the ’80s and into the early ’90s, where it was very different than it is now – thank God.”

A turning point in All of Us Strangers comes when Adam comes out to his parents, who are stuck in the deeply homophobic Thatcher era, and their response is initially less than approving.

“Back then, it was a pretty rough time for a lot of kids growing up and growing into their sexuality. I felt like that adds so much to the story,” the Looking and Weekend creator shared.

“[Adam’s] not lonely because he’s gay. But being gay and coming from that time has made him feel separate in the world to some degree. It’s almost like the world has made him feel lonely.”

As part of the discourse surrounding the film, Paul Mescal has been forced to explain why it was OK for him, as a straight actor, to portray a gay character, arguing that it depends who is in the driving seat of the film.

Haigh has now explained that gay actor Andrew Scott was always going to take the lead role in the film over Paul Mescal, because the story needed to focus on a particular generation of gay men.

“It always had to be from Adam’s perspective,” the 50-year-old director explained.

“I’m the same age or a little bit older than Andrew Scott’s character. That was the generation that I wanted to talk about.”

The contrast between Adam and Harry is an exploration of how gay men of certain ages live their lives differently, even though they are all profoundly affected by the same trauma that can come with growing up queer.

“In many ways, [Harry] is slightly more liberated in the world, and hasn’t been burdened by some of the things that [Adam] has been burdened by. He releases some freedom in Andrew Scott’s character, which I think is really interesting,” Haigh shared.

“Once you’ve seen the film, you realise there’s also a sorrow and a sadness inherent in [Mescal’s] character too.”

Though it’s emotional, All of Us Strangers also highlights the beauty that comes with being able to live as your true self around those you love the most. In opening himself up to his parents, Adam is able to heal the wounds of their complicated relationship.

“I think it’s amazing how often we aren’t our true selves to people, even if people are still alive,” Haigh reflected.

“You still probably don’t have those difficult conversations that you need to have. I understand why we don’t have those difficult conversations; I think there’s a world inside [all] of us that is tormented and a little bit broken, that we’re trying to deal with almost every day of our lives.”

Haigh hopes the film will show that there is an alternative reality out there for those who don’t feel able to be themselves.

“I think the film for me was to say: ‘You know what, it’s OK. I get that you will feel like that, and there is a way out of that. You can find love and intimacy and be known and be understood.”

Rightfully so, All of Us Strangers is pulling in an impressive slate of award nominations – including a BAFTA nomination for Best British Film. It may have been shockingly snubbed by the Oscars, but Haigh is more assured to see the film resonating with so many queer people worldwide.

“It’s always quite surprising to me when something with queer content actually manages to break through and get talked about,” he admitted.

“Now I’m alright with it not being some big mainstream billion dollar because clearly, that’s never going to happen, and there will still be lots of people out there that won’t go and see this film because of the content, or what they think is the content.

“That’s a shame, because I feel like this is a film for everybody,” he added.

“But it’s amazing that it has been taken under the wing by a lot of people and I love that.”'

#Andrew Haigh #Weekend #All of Us Strangers #Paul Mescal #Andrew Scott #Oscars #Strangers #Taichi Yamada #Fleabag #Claire Foy #Jamie Bell #BAFTAs

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lillie98 · 8 months

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STRANGER THINGS X WIZARD OF OZ

I grew up obsessed with “The Wizard of Oz,” so much so that I read some of the original L. Frank Baum books (which I highly recommend). The more I watch and analyze Stranger Things, the more similarities I see between the two stories. For one, gay people in the 80s referred to themselves as being “Friends with Dorothy,” so as not to be outed. That in and of itself is a huge similarity. I also believe each OG Party Member represents a different Oz character—which has huge implications for the overall story.

WILL: He’s our Dorothy (for the reason stated above). He’s on a journey to discover his power and strength, dreaming of a life far away from Kansas (Hawkins). He believes he needs his Ruby Slippers (El’s Powers) to save himself, but he’s always had THE POWER inside him. He can save himself. He meets a cast of characters along the way that teach him about the world and ultimately himself, giving him the strength he needs to defeat his grief and move on from his trauma.

ELEVEN: Eleven is Glinda. She meets Dorothy (WILL) on the journey and guides the Party through their tasks. She is wise and kind, helping Dorothy overcome her trauma and discover the power within him. El’s Powers are the Ruby Slippers (as stated above), which Dorothy thinks she needs to defeat The Wicked Witch of the West (Vecna). By the end of the story, Glinda tells Dorothy she never needed the slippers and had the power within her all along. She disappears and Dorothy returns to Kansas, stronger, surer, and finally processing her trauma.

MIKE: Mike is The Cowardly Lion. Stay with me here. I am absolutely not saying Mike is a wuss, because he’s not. He just thinks of himself this way because of everything people tell him. Lucas says he’s Hopeless, Dustin says he’s Oblivious, his parents say he’s a punk. Why wouldn’t he feel cowardly and afraid? It’s only when Dorothy (WILL) comes into his life and calls him “His Heart” that Mike finally understands his worth and takes up his mantle to fight. He also believes Dorothy needs her Ruby Slippers to win, but will soon discover Dorothy’s incredible powers.

LUCAS: He’s our Tin Man. Lucas loves loudly, but it doesn’t always come across that way. He’s brash and brutally honest, often refusing to sugar coat his words in favor of candor. He fears he is difficult to love because of this and closes himself off to potential love interests, thus becoming “rusty.” It’s only when the Oil Can (MAX) softens him up and accepts him for who he is, that he opens up and discovers the true meaning of love.

(I also think Max could share the Lion with Mike sine they’re basically same person different font)

DUSTIN: Dustin is the scarecrow. We all know Dustin is genius-level intelligent, but he sometimes gets carried away with his discoveries, going to great lengths to indulge his mind (including stealing books from the library). It’s not until someone falls in love with his incredible mind (STEVE) that the Scarecrow learns to harness his intelligence and use it to fight his enemies. His mind will be key in destroying Vecna. Remember the Forever Clock (perfect for the Apocalypse!!)

JOYCE AND HOPPER: Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. They’re Dorothy’s caretakers since his original parents (Lonnie) couldn’t care for him. They know Dorothy dreams of a life far beyond Kansas, but do their best to support him while he’s here. They’ll do anything to keep Dorothy safe.

SUZIE: Suzie is our Wizard. I love this one. The boys go on a journey to find her, she’s wearing green (like, come on), and her house is full of munchkins (literally). Lots of people have created analyses of SUZIE’s house, so I won’t go into detail here, but she is crucial to cracking this code. She’s a master hacker, able to change grades and possibly storylines. She’s not all that threatening, what with being a thirteen-year-old girl, but she holds insane amounts of power.

VECNA: The Wicked Witch of the West. The ultimate Big Bad, hell-bent on destroying Dorothy. Willing to do whatever it takes to bring her down, lest she destroy his plan. She seems unbeatable, always one step ahead, but Dorothy discovers her power and defeats her easily with just a bucket of water. Also the Demo creatures are Flying Monkeys. I will not elaborate.

I’m not sure about the rest of the cast, but let me know in the comments what you think! As far as the story itself is concerned, Dorothy needs to find out about their powers, and we’re so close!! The moment someone removed Soteria, Dorothy’s powers will be released, and Vecna will be toast. This does mean, however, some of our beloved characters will disappear, too—particularly Eleven. She’s Glinda the Good, spirit guide for Dorothy and her Party. Once Dorothy discovers his power, Glinda isn’t needed anymore. Does that mean she will die? Not necessarily, but I do think she will “ascend” to the newly-freed Upside Down (now Heaven instead of Hell) and rule it. She will always be there protecting and guiding them, but unable to cross back over. This is probably where characters like Dustin, Steve, Robin, Lucas? etc. will end up because we all know they’re going to die. It sucks but at least they have somewhere beautiful to go. Anyone not on the hill in the final shot is Free Game for me, unfortunately.

Throughout this journey, Dorothy (WILL) has learned countless lessons from his friends and family that will ultimately fuel him to defeat his grief and trauma once and for all. The only character that will remain is Mike. Mike is more than the Lion, he is Dorothy’s lifeline. Mike makes Will brave. Without him, Will cannot survive. He may have all the power in the world, but it all means nothing if he can’t have Mike. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s pretty beautiful.

Also, since The Wizard of Oz is a story within a story, this entire story of Stranger Things is either a DnD campaign Mike wrote for Will, or a Comic Book series the two boys wrote together. Mike does say he’s been working on a campaign for Will, so this might be what he’s referencing. Either way, it’s going to be incredibly emotional and beautiful, and I can’t wait!!!

#stranger things #mike wheeler #will byers #byler endgame #byler #byler is requited #wizard of oz #stranger things headcanons #stranger things analysis #stranger things 5

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canonicallyanxious · 1 year

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[huge disclaimer up top that I am incredibly lacking in knowledge as to queer/lgbtq+ history and culture in Thailand, especially outside the context of globalized queer identity, so this post should absolutely not be taken as any sort of authority or statement on the topic; i'm just in the very beginnings of doing my own research and wanted to sort through some thoughts as well as see if anyone else out there knew more or could point me toward other sources]

so one thing i was thinking about is that if Jim is in his mid-late thirties, this means he was probably born in the early-mid 80s, which means he came of age in the 90s. i must confess my ignorance of the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic [particularly social stigma against the lgbtq+ community] outside of a western context but even still i can't not find this timing significant. so i'm starting to do some research on the situation in Thailand during this time period and have come across some really interesting sources i wanted to share [under the cut, if you please!]

First is from Untold Stories originally published in 2002. The full video/transcript is super interesting and has a lot of information about Thailand's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 90s. one thing i wanted to highlight [bolded emphasis is mine]:

FRED DE SAM LAZARO: Viravaidya is confident Thailand’s infection rate can be contained once again. Awareness is high, as is literacy, as is the availability of condoms. The big problem is how to deal with the one million or so Thais already infected. Tens of thousands of previously symptom-free HIV patients are now in the visible, advanced, or terminal, stages of the disease. The campaigns may have raised awareness, curiosity, and even generous donations, but patients like Phra Choochart, one of about a dozen monks here, say that doesn’t translate to sympathy or compassion.

PRA CHOOCHART: I keep secret for many years. But finally, something happened in my skin. It beginning to appear. I cannot keep secret anymore. So, I come to be a monk because in society if you catch HIV, nobody want you; also your family.

Untold Stories also has a follow-up story from about 5 years later in 2007. again the full video/transcript is super interesting imo, but here are some personal highlights regarding the social stigma of hiv/aids in Thai society [bolded emphasis is mine]:

REV. MICHAEL BASSANO: He’s 50 years old, but his family just left him. They came over and dropped him off. And they left him here with us. [...]

FRED DE SAM LAZARO: Many, like this man, are dropped off, their disease unattended, many with tuberculosis, a daunting infection they must survive before they are physically fit enough to go on the AIDS medicines.

[...]

FRED DE SAM LAZARO: Thirty-two-year-old Nok Eng came to the temple when her skin showed rashes, a classic HIV symptom. She left when her health improved but came right back in a few months. Health care was hard to find for her and her HIV-positive husband. And it was especially tough at her factory job, where people knew she was HIV-positive.

NOK ENG (through translator): Every day at lunch, I could hear people whispering next to me, gossiping about me, being sarcastic. I just couldn’t take the criticism.

FRED DE SAM LAZARO: The most painful, her parents, who live in a rural community, wanted little to do with her.

NOK ENG: I told my parents that I wanted to come and visit, and they said, “Just stay where you are.” They said that I would humiliate them.

still trying to find sources for what the attitude/stigma is like in more recent years, as well as information about social stigma regarding the gay/queer community outside of this specific context [also worth noticing these sources don't really focus on HIV/AIDS stigma in the context of the gay/queer community specifically], but even still, considering the huge impact the HIV/AIDS epidemic had on social stigma against the lgbtq+ community as well as the generational trauma of living as a community through such a thing in western society, i would be really interested to know if that context had a significant impact on Jim's coming of age as a gay man - i don't think it's something that they would ever explicitly get into on this show but still, that social/historical context could help put some things into perspective, particularly the emphasis on family relationships being the most painful part of the social stigma

i mean idk. i just think about jim running away from home with his sister, and referring to himself and Jam as "two great survivors", even in the context of the homophobia he had to face from his own sister. and i think about his flashbacks with Beam, how even at the peak of their relationship there was hesitance on his part [like when Beam loudly declared their love in the temple for example], and how quickly and easily he accepted that Beam couldn't tell his family about them, and how the tension between being open about yourself in your personal life versus your family/public life is already a lot to deal with even outside of the context of Beam living a whole separate life with a woman his family set him up with. and i can see how even as an older gay man who has been out for some time now there's still a lot of fear and pain Jim carries with him, as someone who seems to value family quite a lot. i really hope we can see him get to the point where he can begin to accept and understand that even after all that he's been through he has created a loving and supporting family of his own, and that's not in spite of the person that he is but because of it.

#sarah.txt #moonlight chicken #mlc meta #seriously i feel like there's a lot i might be missing in context of thai society/culture watching this show #it feels like something that has a fairly significant influence on the story/characters even if not explicitly engaged with #i would really love to learn more if i can!#story meta

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waitdoineedaname · 2 years

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HELLO IM BORED SO HERES MY FRUITY FOUR HEADCANONS

(disclaimer: i myself am disabled jewish gay and trans so most of this is projecting but shhhhhh)

Steve is autistic in the sense that he doesn’t understand social cues and tries to imitate those around him to mask.

His parents (barf) used to yell at him for his autistic traits when he was younger, thus he started imitating ppl so he’d fit in

He has problems with a lot of clothing textures, so he usually alternates between the same 3 polos and the occasional sweater paired with a pair of very comfortable jeans

Robin spots it a mile away

Robin is also autistic, but being a woman in 80s nobody cared and just thought she was weird

When they hang out its just them making weird noises and repeating eachother while laying over eachother

Robin is a bit better with social cues, but she doesn’t get when its “her turn” to talk, and ends up interrupting others or talking over them

She doesn’t mean it!! She feels really bad afterwards

Expect a million and one apologies

She also rants and talks very loud + fast when she gets excited. She usually stims when this happens, either rocking back and forth or shaking her hands

Nancy I’m less sure on whether or not she’s autistic but idc

She is autistic because I said so and also autistic people tend to flock together

She tends to be very quiet unless comfortable around someone

Almost always fiddling with something in her hands

Pens, toys, you name it

When she is interested in something she will spend hours upon hours researching it

And in random conversations she’ll just say something like “Did you know that pigs don’t sweat?” and pretend like its a totally normal thing to say

Eddie munson is autistic and i will stand by that until i die!!!!

Does not understand social cues in the slightest

Tell a joke that requires more than 2 seconds of thinking and he’ll stare at you until you explain it

But he is in no means stupid

He just has trouble focusing things that don’t interest him (cough me cough)

He could tell you in depth about a galaxy he fixated on with so much detail you’d think hes an astronomer

Nest minute he’d ask you how to di long division

Mans is all over the place

Very touchy

Pressure is a huge thing for him

Needs pressure on him or he can’t relax

Ok general headcanon time

Steve is jewish

He never got to celebrate his holidays with family and when dustin heard this (i think dustin is jewish too) he immediately gets dragged into holidays with the hendersons

He complains but nothing makes him happier than the stupid plastic menorah that they light every year (“Fire is dangerous, dusty!!”)

Eventually Robin gets roped into it. Shes not jewish but she loved spending time with her friends

Very confused but supportive. (“whats with the balls in this soup?? IM SUPPOSED TO EAT IT???????”)

All of them have movie nights every week. Its called a movie night but its more “a movie plays in the background while they all comfort each other about their shared trauma” night

Eddie loves trinkets

He has multiple shelves filled with just little trinkets

His prized possession is a guitar pick he caught while at a metal show

Nancy and Robin pass notes with stupid shit in it during class (mainly Robin and Nancy pretending to be annoyed but she loves it)

Once they got caught, they had to read out “dost thou fancy cheese, fair maiden of egg?”

Teacher of that class now ignores their note passing

Eddie has chronic pain in his hands from guitar (same)

Steve cradles Eddie’s hands in his and makes him hold heat packs until the pain goes down

All of them are platonic soulmates

Steve and Eddie are together

Nancy and Robin are together

Constantly go on “Double Dates” and Eddie and Nancy pretend to date while Steve and Robin pretend to date

All constantly get drunk/high/both together and once more, do stupid shit

Like ride a shopping cart down a really big hill stupid

IN CONCLUSION: I LOVE MY BLORBOS AND THEY LOVE EACH OTHER!!!

#no stranger things spoilers #stranger things 4 #stranger things #fruity four #steve harrington #eddie munson #nancy wheeler #robin buckley #ronance #steddie

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mariacallous · 2 months

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Serbia’s Interior Ministry said on Monday that the Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the alleged assault by police officers in Belgrade after a complaint from LGBT rights organisation Da se zna (Let it be Known).

“The internal control section informed the relevant prosecutor’s office, by order of which the veracity of the allegations in the complaint is being determined,” the Interior Ministry told Radio Free Europe.

It added that “if it is found that [the police officers] exceeded their powers, will be sanctioned in accordance with the law”.

The ministry acted after Da se zna alleged that police officers beat and humiliated two LGBT people during a search of an apartment in the Serbian capital.

Da se Zna representative Bojan Lazic said on Monday that the police raided the apartment on February 14. He described the incident as “the most difficult case that the organisation has recorded in its eight years of existence”.

Lazic said the police broke into the apartment, allegedly because of a report that there were drugs inside. The search was allegedly carried out by police special forces officers who did not show a warrant.

According to Lazic, a young man and women suffered physical injuries, as well as severe psychological trauma.

“They saw the LGBT+ flag and from that moment, the brutal experience began,” he said, stressing that the violence continued in the police station after their arrest.

He said that the officers insulted the young man, called him derogatory names, told him that he should be killed, touched his genitals and simulated oral sex using his head.

According to Lazic, they also insulted his roommate, the young woman, and hit them, inflicting physical injuries.

Sanja Malinovic, the mother of the young man who was allegedly assaulted, described the police’s behaviour as brutal.

Malinovic said that her son was beaten, insulted and threatened with rape until he confessed that he was gay, and that instead of using handcuffs, the police officers tied him up with a rope. They also video-recorded their behaviour on a mobile phone and shared the recordings amongt themselves.

She also alleged that a policeman put his hand in her son’s trousers and pulled his penis, which she described as a sexual assault.

Malinovic said that police telephoned her during the night after the assault and that an inspector told her: “Mummy, you’re going to find out what your little son likes.”

The Interior Ministry insisted that police officers and members of an intervention unit entered the apartment to search it on the basis of a court order.

The police also announced that the Prosecutor’s Office, after an expert examination, filed two criminal charges alleging the unauthorised possession of narcotics.

Da se zna, which provides legal and psychological support to LGBT people in Serbia, documented more than 80 cases of violence and discrimination against members of the community in 2023.

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buggyboyizhere · 4 months

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whats your headcanons for yanov and yuu ? iknow you posted paul and pat but im wondering if you did those two as well

THEM RAHHH1!1!1!1!1 vine boom and loud sobbing !1!1

They’re general gist is they are so so in love and tragic and silly and and :3

If you care for some rambling it’ll be down here, and if it temps you to click on it there’s a little treat

Just noticed I forgot to add flags on the ref but the country ones were mostly to check if I slapped all the facial features I wanted onto em’ ( Also because I will not hc all the EW guys as white/British it’s truly the bare minimum to add diversity )

Hope this doesn’t read awkwardly because erm I only THINK of them, autism be damned I cannot just create simple bios it’s gotta be a biography

General :]

Height:

Yanov - 6’9

Yuu - 5’7

Gender/Pronouns:

Yanov - (Trans) Man, He/Him

Yuu - Nonbinary, Them/He/She

Sexuality:

Yanov - Gay ( MLM )

Yuu - Pansexual

How they met :D

In med school, pre RA. Yuu struggled to contain any information so him and Yanov regularly got together to study, leading to very late night conversations about themselves. Even when Yuu decided to drop out they kept in contact, Yanov occasionally sneaking them in to watch his surgeries. They both eventually got bored of their respective lives and wanted to share it ( unfortunately ) as a trauma surgeon and nurse in a bare bones rebellion ( RA ).

Their roles in the RA :>

Yanov is a trauma surgeon, he’s usually on the field or dragged into doing some weird mechanical project Tord wants help with.

Yuu is a nurse but not? I don’t know what else to describe him as, but he’s on the field helping carry soldiers to safety, or at base doing patient care when Yanov needs some extra hands.

Headcannons :3

Yanov is selectively mute, communicating through sign language or very rarely gives a one or two word answer/order/etc. It’s rooted in anxiety and just not talking is better than saying something. Yuu usually helps with shouting orders or asking for things he needs, never to speak over him but to give him a voice.

When there’s zero work to do and no one’s dying they lay back and nap to old ( 60’s-80’s ) love songs

Yuu practically begs Yanov to connect the dots between their freckles because they think it’s a sweet little reminder of him, it’s usually on her hand or arm.

Yanov writes cheesy little poems in a notebook he carries around 24/7. Yuu takes a peek in it and reads it every chance he gets, literally giggles and kicks his feet. No, Yanov has no idea they read what he writes, but he couldn’t care less if he knew that’s what she was giddy over.

Yuu has no interest in doing surgeries, discovered very quickly he can and will need to walk away and puke. They’re perfectly fine just handing over tools or taking care of the patient after it’s over. Meanwhile Yanov is crazy over it ( Cristina Yang core ), he will gently bully another surgeon into giving him a cool surgery he wants.

They’re both a good bit older than the rest of the guys, closer to their 50’s by the time the RA is well established and settled (Pat/Paul/Tord are around mid 30’s). It’s a common joke between the guys to point it out, it’s not bothersome, and they sometimes play into it. ( Also the ages are just when I think of em’ in my favorite area of the story I got going ) ( Also old man yaoi </3 )

They got into their relationship the first month of being in the RA. The feelings were mutual years before this but Yanov thought he was too busy, he’s still overwhelmed with work, but he’ll squeeze in time to relax with Yuu. In their later years Yanov decided to train more surgeons so he could spend more days with Yuu.

Yuu is :3 and Yanov is ._.

Neither of them EVER expected that zombies would ever be an issue.

Patryck and Paul are considered close and good pals, and Tord is basically the scum of the earth.

Extra non important thoughts :P

Erm I’m still writing that Pat fic and I cannot wait to write out them in a separate fic about how gut wrenching it is for them to live ( esp Yanov, yippee confetti confetti !!! )

Nyways I love em’, they’re literally my ocs at this point I’ve got like a gazillion thoughts on them

Here’s the Timelapse as a treat :3 I put down many little doodles and notes </3

#so so sorry this took actually forever to get to I was busy getting jacked and drinking muscle milkshakes ( I lie )#I’ll do this for Pat and Paul too honestly surprised I didn’t do this for them earlier :3 #eddsworld #ew red army #ew yanov #ew yuu #eddsworld yanov #eddsworld yuu

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terrence-silver · 1 year

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Thoughts on Terry and Kreese’s toddlers developing a bond, like they are extremely clingy and cry when they become separated from each other?

Ha-ha. A classical case of Terry baby-trapping Kreese.

...With a baby that isn't even their shared child, via adoption, surrogacy, or whatever method. No, this is Kreese's own biological kid and Terry's own biological kid merely becoming friends. Not quite so insidious, right? Right!? But, this is still baby-entrapement where tactics are concerned because it bears every semblance of just that. Comes off like that and Terry knows it. He knows it even as he encourages this friendship between toddlers to the utmost degrees, stoking the fire, insisting on their playdates, sharing toys, spending time together, being brought over to the mansion to be with each other, or Terry literally limousining through The Valley with his kid to bring them to John, ensuring they've their time together. After all, these kids, they have no prior memories, experiences, character traits due to being merely months old (The iron is forged while it is hot, Terry decides). This bond would be their first and only, and as such, the most expansively intense connection they ever had with anybody, ever, and might even become a formative memory in their minds. This friendship took up 100% of their lives, because they aren't even one year old, and there is no other lives they lived other than being friends. Is this Terry also viscerally living through their children because he might've had an unfulfilled desire or fantasy of meeting John much sooner than Vietnam and actually growing up together with him in some sort of sibling-next-door-best-friend-that-is-always-at-arms-lenght situation? Maybe. Undoubtedly. I feel he was a lonely, overly-sheltered child, after all.

Is it also Terry tying John to himself in yet another elaborate way?

Oh, look, Johnny, our kids just love each other so much.

Why, they cry and cry when separated!

Don't you know that when babies cry too much they're in risk of getting trauma-based child seizures and various illnesses? You wouldn't be so heartless as to go and be anywhere except within arm's reach from me? From us? Or better yet. Why don't you move into the mansion? So we can raise them together, John. John?

C'mon, Johnny! It was just a suggestion!

Of course John wouldn't entirely concede to bunking together, because he too wants a reason for Terry to ride out and come to him (some baby-trapping all of his own, albeit in a far more subtle way, playing a bit prideful and a bit hard to get at times), but shared birthdays it is! Shared little get-togethers for their children and themselves! Shared presents (or rather, lavish gifts Terry hoists upon John through the guise of 'merely giving things to the dad of his kid's best friend)! Those toddlers start picking up Karate together from an earliest age. Any onlooker might think these are relatives. Maybe Terry and John are some sort of uncles who married into the same family or? In the 80's as in present day alike one might assume that they're a gay couple, which could both be hilariously accurate or hilariously close to the truth without actually being true if we take into account all the shades of repression these two have all while basically unwittingly acting out a domestic, pastoral fantasy that is blatantly gay seeming to everyone but them. Well, at least to John. John thinks this is just two war friends ensuring their children appreciate their connection from the army by transferring it to the next generation. Meanwhile, Terry might be fully aware how they come off. Like two fathers. Like lovers. Like a couple. And he relishes the image, all while manipulating events through their children who now absolutely cannot be without one another. Are you just an unethical individual that used two babies as a Pavlovian method directed at each other, or are you just, you know, Terry Silver?

Except, might just be abundantly clear to John how they come off, deep down, as well.

Thing is, he could function under rules all of his own, with his own codex. Not really caring what the world thinks or how it perceives them. as much as he wants to let on like he seems he cares. He realizes what Terry’s been doing, and he lets it happen, because they’re both just as bad and obsessive as the other.

#terry silver #john kreese #implied cobra husbands?#but yeah #cobra husbands #baby trapping #fatherhood #dad!terry #terry silver as a parent #john kreese as a parent #cobra kai #kk3 #tw; manipulation

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d-parade · 5 months

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talking about ocs…

here are my tranny ones (mbad i can’t draw well and only practiced face cause that’s what i need for brainstorming characters)

i always talked about muchen (left) but never oephelia. i’ll give backstories and share information for both because they’re more than their sex status.

warning uhhhhhh extremely sensitive topics?

oephelia

oephelia is 12 and part of a storyverse called: “furouchouju club”, revolving around said club of 5 which pledged to reject adulthood and save children/ teenagers from the cruel adult society.

oephelia grew up with an abusive alcoholic dad who practically treated her like a slave. he would beat her whenever she showed any form of emotion, thus the mask. plus due to the obvious, she hates her face.

a huge aspect of thr story follows these 5 (oephelia included) as they’re forced to accept their “adulthood” as they age, the very thing which caused them pain. for oephelia’s case, she struggles with obviously, puberty. when she looks into the mirror it’s like seeing her dad, which adds fuel to the already blazing fire lol. the others know ofc, but do not give a shit other than comforting and helping her.

sad shit aside, she enjoys collecting antique dolls and nice toys in general. she’s also the youngest in the club so she gets babied quite a bit. the mask she wears switches as she ages, and she paints them herself. her victorian era clothes are also self made, taking a lot of pride in them.

in the above image though, she is approximately 16.

muchen

muchen is 17 and part of a verse called: “whatever you do” (temp name). basically him, with two other homies, destroying the country’s biggest crime syndicate.

(long ass backstory) muchen lived in the slums/ favela and left with shady ppl in promise of better life. turns out he was sold to rich fucks and branded as a “tranny” for perverts with that fetish. but desperately pleaded and became an underground child rink fighter. when he lost (if you lose, ppl who bet on you and lost money have the rights to use you as a toy, as compensation), he was almost raped but escaped out the window. he broke bones, crawled to safety, where he grew up in a garbage landfill. since the crime syndicate is in charge of his trauma, he vowed to kill the boss and take the entire syndicate down.

again, horrific shit aside, he eventually warms up to people instead of being a lone wolf afraid to make friends. he likes motorbikes and manga and working out. despite living in the 2000s/ 2010s, he has a 80s yankii hairstyle because he thinks it’s cool.

they’re the only two that are… yknow. i also do have characters who happen to be gay. or more specifically, most of my characters (i have about 20 “main”ish ones) do not have a sexuality cause it’s not important. those that are semi relevant to the plot, are still not canonically labelled as “gay”, “aromantic asexual” and shit.

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readatrix · 1 year

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I accepted an ARC of Our Share of the Night from Netgalley. This is my honest review. It's still January -- when I wrote this initially --

and I'm calling it now: It's highly unlikely I'll read a better horror novel in 2023. Our Share of the Night is an epic novel filled with body horror, trauma, friendship, familial love and hate. We meet Juan, a recent widower, traveling with his young son, Gaspar. Juan is filled with love for his son, but also anger, and the ability to hurt his son and anyone who gets in his way. Juan is a "medium" for an international cult that worships a dark, cruel god -- perhaps Darkness itself. He has been given no choice in this, having been purchased from his parents as a child. Juan has a heart defect that he knows will kill him sooner than later, and he knows this cult wants his son -- either as the new medium, or a new vessel for Juan. He's determined that neither will happen. The book encompasses a significant period of time, and a number of POV characters. Eventually we meet up with a slightly older Gaspar, who lives in an empty mansion with his father. He remembers little of the past. His father is often distant, and angry, and cruel. And sometimes perhaps insane. The reader is privy to much more than Gaspar is at this stage, seeing connections he can't, and the workings of the occult. He is unaware he's setting up a friend to be sacrificed. This portion of the book was extremely moving to me as Gaspar is abused by his father for reasons he can't understand. Juan commits a vicious act of cruelty and betrayal. I can only say that anyone who survived an abusive household will understand there are different types of horrors. One of those horrors is feeling unloved by a parent, and the shock when you realize you're not safe with them. Gaspar had a friend group that helps him through this time, and we follow their journeys almost as much as Gaspar's, as they learn to live with loss, and the pieces of the aforementioned other world that clings to them. The reader knows that Gaspar will eventually have to face the cult. Did I mention the cult is also family? Things you should know: This is a long book. Because I accepted a digital copy, I don't have page numbers, but depending on the source, it's between 600 and 730ish pages. It feels like the latter. You'll be spending lots of time here. If you just want the horror, and don't want to become involved, there are quicker books. The book has a lot of body horror, and general supernatural stuff, including doors leading to another very vicious world, but there are long stretches between these moments where it's more about a feeling of dread and various characters working through trauma. A number of times I would be jolted anew at how dark, and gross, the story could be. Our Share of the Night is a translated work from an Argentine author and is set in Argentina, and you will feel very immersed in this setting. The translation seemed smooth enough that I was rarely confused, but there were moments where I wondered if something was lost in translation.

Poets and poetry are mentioned A LOT! The almost constant backdrop is political unrest. I think a lot of what you need to know can be picked up from context, but politics do play a heavy role. The cult is run by rich people who exploit poor, often Indigenous, people. We spend time in London in the sixties, and Argentina the rest of the time, particularly in the 80s and 90s, and this portion has a focus on the AIDS crisis. The London portion might very well scratch a little bit of any serial killer itch you might have. There's LGBTQ+ rep, but slurs and outdated terms abound. There are a two people who are called a couple, but also twins, who want to swap sexes, but there seems to be more of a supernatural/spiritual incentive than really being trans. At least 3 of the protagonists are gay or bi. An outdated term for people with Down Syndrome is used between friends. Not every question of plot point is wrapped up, and there's clearly room for another book. Which I would read! Our Share of the Night took me a couple weeks to read -- I read other books as well -- because I was so involved that I needed breaks from a very dark story. While most of the characters are varying degrees of evil, I did care about a few, and I imagine you will too. Others I wanted to suffer -- and suffer they did! I feel that I could read the book several times over and find additional layers and nuances I missed.

#our share of night #mariana enriquez #horror #argentina #body horror #book review #readatrix review #netgalley

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straightfromthetorturedpoetsdept · 1 year

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the idea of joe and taylor both being bi is so comforting for some reason

Honestly right!!!!!!!

Idk, I like to think that Joe is like very comfortable in his sexuality and so if he helped her process her queer trauma in the industry, especially since he is in the industry too, it makes me feel so soft inside for some reason.

Like, there's no confirmation for this headcanon but I just like to think about her music about their relationship in this way. I feel like Joe is like such a contrast to Karlie in just his personality and demeanor and probably his desire to be private with their romance is just idk.

I love how she writes music about their relationship, it's so soft and vulnerable and happy. Like, there really isn't any drama in their relationship probably because of the really hard lessons she had to learn with her previous relationships, but especially Karlie + the squad in general.

Like, as a swiftie I viewed 1989 differently than the general public but to the public, it felt very like "mean" girl esque which led Taylor to kind of be friendlier to more people and just be like no everyone is in the squad !!!!!! And then like once 2016 happened, they were all Fairweather friends because it was about the clout for them more than anything as well.

But like then she goes out meets Joe and he doesn't care about the rumors and like it was such a contrast for her. And like what she has let us know about folklore, and August in particular, I feel like meeting Joe and dating him was so easy compared to Karlie. I feel like true, he's a man but also the unwillingness to be queer and/or being forced into the closet definitely played a role in it.

You have to keep in mind, Taylor came up before gays were acceptable in society. Like, the hiv crisis happened in the 80s and it was a fucking genocide. Do you think the 90s were progressive? Fuck no they weren't. Idk, yall, it's like I feel like she had to learn to be okay with her queerness in a way that many of us can't really understand or grasp, and it really shines through in her songs about closeting like dear reader or I know places or wonderland or false god especially.

So idk, if Joe is bisexual and he's a couple years younger than her so like idk I feel like he reads as a very confident in himself man and that might have given her the strength to come to terms with her queer related trauma especially.

And it's just really nice to think about their relationship in terms of that dynamic. And like, it adds depth to the songs, too, like sweet nothing or even the songs I mentioned earlier but long story short, labyrinth, etc etc.

When she speaks about Joe, she really lets it be known that his unwavering support of her has given her the ability to work through trauma. She says it in like "I'm just really happy now and so I write music" and the music is very sad because it's about her past trauma but like all the songs about him are like I understand why 12 is white on the midnight clock.

It's pure, their relationship. It's nice to have a friend as well. Anyways.

Like, she's happy and so like she wants to keep it that way and honestly I think she might be autistic as well so in that way, I totally get wanting to not share their more personal or unhappy moments. Like, it's different with a true love, you don't want to share your problems with other people because like they're not problems that make you unhappy you know? And she seems to be very number based as a human, to an insane level, and so like I feel like it's an easy experiment for her to draw a conclusion from. All her public relationships failed, her private one is lasting. So must make it last by being private.

When you find the person you're going to be with forever, fighting with them is different because there is a mutual understanding between the two of you that problems arise because of miscommunication. It's like your demons fighting each other when that happens and recognizing that, and having someone see the worst parts of you (not abuse, I am not talking about abuse here, I'm talking character flaws) and love you anyways that is so fucking life changing for someone who has never experienced that before.

That's really what she communicates to me about her relationship with Joe, that he loves her no matter what happens between the two of them and that's just so pure. Finding that type of friendship, of loyalty, that's so pure. That willingness to help each other be better, that is why I love lover so much because it was such a HAPPY album and it's clear that being with Joe has changed her for the better and it's made her be so fulfilled in life because she puts boundaries up now.

It makes me so soft, I love toe 🤧

#i think its so funny that they have such a fantastic relationship with a name like toe #anon love #ask and you shall receive #gaylor #taylor swift

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topconfessions · 1 year

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I'm a bisexual person, and I must say that I'm highly sure that top is either gay, or bisexual with an at least 80% lean towards men. In bigbang people tend to say this more about GD because of his androginous style, but in my opinion top has shown way more signs of being attracted to men. Considering he said before he doesn't like physical contact with people he's not close to, he shows an affection and intimacy towards men not in a "I'm a man and I feel more comfortable with other men" way, but in a "I'm interested in you and I think you're handsome" way. And I think these signs aren't exactly unintentional. He might be a private person, but I'm sure he would be open about his sexuality if South Korea wasn't so conservative. There's a interview where the guy asks him what kind of person he's attracted to, and his reply is about both men and women, with men coming first. I don't know the full interview or context, but I find it odd that he not only talked about BOTH men and women in a question about attraction, but he also didn't specify anything, like "I like this type of men in a friendship/business partnership/etc" knowing people might have other interpretations. Also, unless he has a strong need to affirm his masculinity (which I don't see it), I can't picture straigh men having a flower vase in form of a... I think you know it, lol.

Anyway, sorry for the long text. I just wanted to share this with someone and you seem to have similar thoughts.

I've been saying this forever. I too believe he is primarly into men like 80% leans to men. women he dates when men aren't working out or just for the sake of it unless he meets one that really attracts him. He doesnt like women at all to me deep down. I dont think he would be open about his sexuality if korea was like america unless his bf or older bf was very open and pushed for him to be open too. I think somewhere in his psyche he is very in deep with the push and pull of fans vs him. I always say there is a reason taeyang and many other idols were openly dating while he acts like his whole life would end if he ever even claimed anyone. Yep. These idols at least back then used to sprinkle in a LOT of honesty about who they really are with questions like that. He told us blatantly from that interview you're speaking of what he likes and he knew the interviewer meant romance not general speaking with people. I Know someone will come in here with a counter confession saying that isnt true but he has proven too many times over he's legitmately into men and really only men, just women as a causality which whatever makes him happy is okay. TOP knew what the interviewer was asking and thats him letting his real orientation slip through. all his answers and behavior towards women is just too complicated. You'd think he had trauma from a woman with the way he used to answer.

I remember an anon long ago agreeing with me on the fact we both suspected all the men he'd post up with on IG, nearly all (ALLEGEDLY) were men he has been involved with or hooked up with. I didnt know he had a penis flower vase. he's definitely gay then and This is just on him in general.

T.O.P the image and idol was very masculine at times and I think he hated it deep down, aside from the variety apperances where he got to be goofy and act like a child, where he is now as a person is where he truly wants to be in my perspective and opinion. I just notice he's not the suit and Tie polished guy anymore so that was an image.

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