#queer representation

And then there's the fact that there's a nonbinary button... Which is something I genuinely did not think possible yet. I don't think people are talking about how big this is - the is probably one of the most MAJOR and VISIBLE media out there to ever include nonbinary representation, and this is NINTENDO we're talking about. The company that will shy away from Anything that might give them intense backlash. Displaying a third option labeled "nonbinary" directly smack in the character creator of their new hit game that people have been waiting for for over a decade. It's not only visible, it's UNAVOIDABLE. If you want to play Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream you HAVE to be reminded that we exist every time you open the character creator just like women and men. I mean, how many people will buy the game and not know what the word even means, and become more familiar with nonbinary genders because of this? Acknowledgement in the general public consciousness like this is going to kickstart something huge.

Lemme say that again: In 2013, it was expected that gay characters would be censored in children’s mass media.

Remember Korra? How she and Asami had to settle for ambiguous handholding rather than a kiss? That was fully a year after House of Hades came out. Nickelodeon said No Gays, the Children™ can’t handle that. Too risky. And people said man that stinks, but that’s how these things go in 2014 America.

Gay marriage was literally still illegal in the vast majority of US states. As of October 8th, 2013 (House of Hades release date) Gay Marriage was only a thing in thirteen fucking states. California had only legalized it that year.

Gay people were still very much on the fringes of society. It was an acceptable political position on both sides of the aisle to be against the existence and equal rights of gay people.

Nico was legitimately a landmark character in queer representation. To my knowledge, there wasn’t before an openly gay main character in a bestselling ya/middle grade fantasy fiction series. It simply was not a thing. They didn’t exist. They weren’t allowed to exist.

I remember people crying. Finally. It was a watershed moment. Kids all across the world finally got someone who represented them. It was such a big fucking deal. And it was controversial!!! Not for the reasons it is today, but because people thought gay kids having representation was inappropriate.

Is Nico’s coming out a great scene? No, these days it leaves a lot to be desired. It’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination and I’m sure Rick wishes he could change it. But the fact that’s the case is a wonderful reflection of how far we’ve come.

at the time of drawing this comic, its one day after i saw the digital circus movie in theaters. (not pictured is my family who saw it with me)

and like. summin about something so culturally recognizable, something with a sea of merchandise and a restaurant and a fan base of all ages and backgrounds, something so loved by so many, not only is it indie, but made by a trans woman and with such blatant and real trans feminine representation IN MOVIE THEATERS AS A CULTURAL PHENOMENON in a time where trans people are public enemy #1.

a trans woman who posts her art on tumblr got here. im also a trans woman who posts her art on tumblr. maybe i could get there too. and knowing how many kids were in the audience, i hope and pray the trans kids who dont know it or are scared see themselves represented too, and i hope this movie helps them realize its ok to be you, its ok to be trans.

additionally, i like dressin up a lil when i go out with my family to a movie. i dressed with a pomni inspired look. and before i got my crutch, i didnt think anything of it. but walking into the theater with my crutch, i worried people would be like "i dont get it, are you disabled pomni?", but then pomni had to use a crutch in the movie. not only seeing myself represented behind the scenes for this film, but seeing myself represented in the film itself in a number of ways.

He’s wearing a “everyone watches women’s sports” shirt and making Shane learn all about Amber Glenn.

He dm-ed Ilia sending love and support (from one Ilya to another) after his performance and he is dragging any haters in the comments because “can this random commenter at home even ice skate? No Shane they probably can’t so they better be nice to the quad-god! he’s literally so young!”

Ilya being obsessed with this figure skating generation is something I NEED.

“See Shane, Alysa retired and then came back but only if she could train and have fun!”

“Did you see her carrying the pride flag? Amber is gay icon!”

I’m sooo tired of straight people thinking the most inspiring thing that can happen to queer characters on tv is to come out and be accepted