#sogi

pc.koublis

A depiction of Sōgi (宗祇) (1421–1502), a travelling Zen monk and poet based at Kyoto’s Shōkokuji Temple (相国寺) renowned especially as a master of linked verse, or renga (連歌), which he mentored to some of the leading political & military figures of his day despite his humble family background in either Kii or Ōmi Province

Hanging scroll, ink & color on silk, 16th century, attributed to the artist Kanō Motonobu (狩野元信) (1476-1559)--which is corroborated stylistically by the similarity of the horse with Motonobu’s horse designs on ema (絵馬) votive tablets at his family shrine

"Enough lamenting.

In this world we all

journey a sad and wandering

way

I tell myself, relinquishing

my life to Nasu's dews."

So, after a combination of events, including procrastinating studying for midterms, downloading Hayley Kiyoko’s album Expectations, watching a few queer films, and some self reflection, I was feeling a bit nostalgic, so I decided to watch Lemonade Mouth and some episodes of Wizards Of Waverly place that had Hayley Kiyoko in them.

After watching Hayley in these two works, I realized two things.

#1, I 100% had a crush on both of Hayley’s characters, but had not interpreted them as crushes at the time.

#2, was that in both instances, Hayley was totally playing a queer character.

I’m not sure if the characters were just written that way, or if it was Hayley who added in those vibes just by being her, but they were totally there.

Alex and Stevie’s relationship was practically canon in Wizards of Waverly place. And I felt that as a 12 year old, I just didnt realize it.

I’m not sure if there was some wonderful writer on that show who sneakily did this, or if it was just an insane chemistry between Hayley and Selena, but rewatching those episodes, I definitely felt that chemistry.

The most interesting part of all this is that other people did too! Even if Disney didn’t straight up say, Alex and Stevie are queer, the audience felt it. And even tho we didn’t have a direct queer character to look up to, I think it’s incredible that so many of us saw Alex and Stevie’s relationship, and understood, deep down, that there was something more to it. So in that sort of strange and indirect regard, we did have that queer representation.

Just wanted to share, because I found so much comfort in the fact that looking back and reflecting on my past, I was able to trace these little things, and they’ve really helped me figure myself out. Maybe it’ll help you guys as well?