#Cam only knows the basics of LGBT so like

[rarestdoge]

OG meme 🔽

[scarfacemarston]

18+ ONLY PLEASE

 Disclaimer: I’m not super knowledgeable about OF or how it works. I know the basics, but that’s it. If I get something wrong, please just be kind. I’m perfectly willing to acknowledge that I may be wrong. This ask is a tough one for two reasons: A. No matter what I say, I know people will not be thrilled. B. I think a small part of it depends really on the reasonings.  I’m usually pretty good with Modern AU things, but this one stumps me. I don’t know the mechanics of it so I don’t know what goes into setting it up. Disclaimer 2: I support any person who decides to get into OF or other forms of sex work as long as safe, sane, and consensual.

I think some people would do it and be proud. (It’s not an easy job!) I think others would do it just for the money. Some would be ambivalent whereas others might feel some shame. Others I don’t see doing it.

Arthur: I can see people encouraging him to do it. He’s attractive and I think Modern AU Arthur MIGHT have more confidence to do it. I don’t think he would, but maybe he could do it as a dare and end up enjoying it or something.  I’m going to go with no rather than yes. 

 John:- I think he might think it was funny, but I don’t think he’d actually do it - especially if he’s with Abigail. I can see her being a little domineering about that. If he’s older, then that’s a definite no. 

 Abigail is unique in that in my Modern AU I sometimes place her as a former cam girl, but other times I have her working in dive bars. Sometimes both. (Over 18 obviously) I can see her potentially doing something earlier in her life, but after Jack? No. She herself carries a lot of weight of her past profession in the game and that translates a bit in her modern AU.(I’m NOT shaming her, it’s how she views herself). I do not see her judging others, just asking that they be careful. If someone asks her nicely - depending on who it is - she might give them a few tips. Modern AU her is an organic farmer so she also knows how to run a business as well..

 Karen: Absolutely, she’s charming, extroverted, and beautiful. She knows herself and has a keen sense for business.

 Mary-Beth: Potentially - I can see her trying to a whimsical / fantasy theme. She’s very creative and kind. She’s not stupid, but I don’t know how her business sense is.

  Javier: Yep, I can see it. He’s attractive and he knows it. He’s charming and creative. However, I can see him also using other avenues to focus more on promoting music rather than dedicating a lot of time to OF.

Charles: He’s a hard one to pin down. I honestly have no idea. I want to say no and that he’d be in the same boat as Arthur. Like Arthur, maybe he’d do it as a dare and not realize that both he and Arthur have become popular. He’s very private.

Sean: Absolutely. I just see him doing it, especially if it was a few pics with Karen. (Not sure if that’s a thing). Even then, I think some people in the gang would underestimate him, but he ends up with a small following.

Lenny: Maybe if the mood struck him. I don’t personally see him doing it, but he’s not a blushy innocent bookworm like some people seem to think he is.If he did it, I don’t see him devoting a lot of time to it. 

 Hosea: I think it would be interesting to find some old vintage photos of him in playgirl or a similar magazine for MLM. I can see Dutch doing it in a Tom Selleck type of way.

 Dutch: See above. Plus, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dutch say “Oops. Teehee. How did THOSE get there?” *smirk* 

 Molly: Yes, I can see her having a very extravagant set up. She’s charming and funny and very romantic.

Tilly: I don’t know. I want to say no as she’s very straight-laced and like Abigail, focuses more on the “proper life”. However, I think the definition of a proper life in 2020 is so vastly different. I think Tilly could do it if she wanted to, but I just get the vibe that she wouldn’t.

Bill: I think it depends on the circumstance. If he can find supportive people in an LGBT+ welcoming platform, then maybe. He could go the other way and not want to do it at all, imo. 

 Micah: Potentially. Part of me thinks he would think it’s stupid and a waste of time. The other part of me acknowledges that many people do find him attractive so he could potentially try it for a few days and see what happens. Or not. Who knows.

 Grimshaw:  I think there’s a high chance she did some posing / nude photography when she was younger. As for her age now - Potentially as she’s confident, but since she’s older, she deals with a lot of ageism. In the game, yes she wears a lot of make-up, but she’s not ugly. I can see her more helping run the other people’s OF or maybe focusing a little bit on her own OF.  

Uncle is a wild card. He could have been in a vintage thing like Hosea or Dutch.

No’s: Reverend Swanson, Mr. Strauss, Mr. Pearson. Kieran. I just don’t see it happening. Sadie - Absolutely not, especially if she lost her husband. I just don’t see her doing it in any capacity. I want to say no to Trelawny as well. I think he’d worry more than A. Someone he knows as far as connections go would see it or B. Someone in his family accidently sees it.

[a-tired-cryptid-talks-shit]

Sanders sides mimecraft/YouTuber au

Some basic info is missing but they all have roughly the same age/subscribers and stuff

Patton:

Collects EVERY animal and names them all . 'Teams up' with people a lot. Mainly makes funny and casual irl games and vlogs.  He can only really play mc well and never uses cheats  ("not the honest or hardworking thing to do!")  Always has a MASSIVE Base (mainly houses for his animals and farms so he can feed them all)  either dies every five minutes or never dies there's no in-between  (the more upset he is the more he dies normally)  has a new hair colour every month (definitely virgil's doing)  has a subscriber farm/ garden  and puts atleast 2 people in it each episode

Swears like sailor   when playing so he has really edited and almost never livestreams  when playing minecraft he does do lots of qna/ irl games on livestreams and sometimes convinces one of the others to join. Has a "not PG" playlist of collabs where he has a few swears and dirty jokes (normally from the others). Travels a lot and always has a bag of sweets (vegan and everything free so anyone can eat them)  incase he meets any fans when out.  Has and will spend hours collecting things for his friends if he hears them complain about how they can't find any insert item here or need a certain amount of it but can't get it.  He has a "drop off hut" at their spawn where everyone but him has a chest and he'll leave whatever they need  for them to pick up and occasionally he'll leave sweet notes in them too if he knows they're having a bad day.  Doesn't make serious videos often but will always speak out on other social media about current events (blm, lgbt shiz etc) and give his support and thoughts on it there are some issues he doesn't talk about for personal reasons tho.

Basic info... 22..... vvv gay.......  totally not crushing on remus..... trans dude.....  about 3/4 mil followers.

Logan:

Has a good sized Base and is focused on efficency and survival. Almost always streaming or filming. Has 2 pets à series (max.)  And the rest if the farm animals are definitely not pets (most have names and he refuses to kill them). Is practically a god by episode 5 so most of  the time he does stupid challenges and makes shops and trades/ helps  the others.  He only ever blogs for events (vidcon/comicon)  most of the time his camera is stolen by either remus, patton or Roman and they'll make sure to get all the funny and embarrassing moments on film.  Logan always réalisés two videos for each event eg :  video one: "Vidcon 2020 day 2"   video two: " Vidcon 2020 day 2 patton's  cut" (where all the shenanigans and  weird shit is posted).

He's always a sarcastic mum (so normal )  and loves to watch the playful banter and whenever any of the viewers see it he'll be spammed with edits and art for the next month or two. Of course he goes through everything he's tagged in and makes sure to like and comment. Because it's logan everyone still simps for  him and he posts photos a lot  and lots of group photos from when they all meet up and shiz  and most of the comments are people drooling over him.

Has a playlist of info videos where he talks about social justice stuff and is super supportive and informative about it and almost always gets someone he knows and is affected by it to talk to and make sure he's doing it the right way and he has all kinds of channels linked that talk about it all in more depth and always links petitions and places to learn and donate.

Basic info:  24... gay ..... abt 3/4 million subscribers... in a relationship with virgil  but only the group know about it.

Roman:

Roman asks his subscribers every series for a theme (pirates, Princes,  mediaval, fairies etc) each series which he has to stick to

Always over the top and dramatic

Livestrwams once a week (mainly mining) and he has a few hours where he'll do song requests and they call it radio time and occasionally he'll get his bf or whoever's home to do lives with him and they'll do qnas and shiz abd sometimes do mini versions of tags abd shiz

Merch galore he has merch for every series (they're vvv long) tries to get fans to design them and uses underground artists

So many collabs

Lots of people think he has tattoos he sometimes tries to cover when really it's doodles that were done in sharpie and still haven't come off.

Shipped with EVERYONE and often has to make posts saying "I love y'alls creativity but all my friends are in relationships and please do not ship us because it makes it very uncomfortable and awkward."

Makes  so many vlogs and is always doing something new and interesting.

Has the most extra and intricate bases and all kinds of weird pets and he changes his skin for each series.

Remus:

No one remembers adding him to the servers or anything but he's just there.

Normally shares a base with patton or is super close to it and basically has a house with a lava moat and a basement abd that's it. So many swears and dirty jokes.  Lots of random short vlogs that he has in a playlist that's called 'why I love these dumbasses'. Constantly flirts with patton and when they start dating publicly they do all kinds of tags and have a mc world together where everyone thinks they'll be sweet and wholesome but most of it is them killing eachother for the fun of it which everyone is mad for.

Remus always challenges patton to find a super rare pet (jokes on you remus patton has every pet in the game by episode 5)  for filler videos where they don't know what to do. Remus does lots of trolling and making traps/ death houses videos and mainly plays on servers or plays other games (mainly horror). Always ends up pissing someone on the server off and starting a war (they all know it's all in good fun) and spends wayyyyy too long working on different pranks for different people (He once made logan's house neon pink by hand)

Janus is pretty normal and will play with mods so he can get reptiles as pets. Is barely ever on servers and will barely play on them if he's part of one. He does lots of one off challenges / games with the others. Doesn't post anything but gaming vids and only ever does voice-over and no cam for a long time and is shipped  with everyone  he had every social media but only posts about upcoming videos and events. Lowest subs of the group as he doesn't do it for the income (unlike most of the others)  and just does it because the others convinced him. He keeps his home life secret until he accidentally turned up in the background of one of Remy's videos and everyone went mad with theories and he came out and explained it all so after tgat he occasionally posts vlogs for big events but that's it. He lives with emile and remy in a 2 bed apartment (they were previously roomates) and has his own room which is really an office with a spare bed in it.

Virgil :

Mainly does series on his own or speed running /parkour.  He's weirdly good at building so he has a series where he builds houses for his friends. He does a mixture of  art and gaming videos when he does collab with the others it's always one off games against eachother (bedwars parkour etc)  he almost always wins (his only real competiton is logan) and stays silent most the time   and only really throws around insults.

Remy (+emile)

Lifestyle  and challenge blogs doesn't game but he has tried a few times on janus' channel (so has emile)  he has a playlist  of mental health videos made by emile (He's still a therapist but he wanted a way to help people further so he does these with remy)  and occasionally does makeup / fashion videos and is a super super popular channel so his bfs  (janus and emile) don't really need to work but they like to contribute.

[aquaburst3]

7, 9, 11, & 12 for the TW ask meme please :)

7. What is your favorite chapter?

So far, probably either chapter 3 or 5.

 The Little Mermaid is my favourite Disney Princess movie (since Lilo & Stitch is my favourite one in general), so seeing a different, modern take on the story is fun. I like the twist with Azul in the end, since it’s well set up and makes sense for that character. Yuu is a lot more proactive in that arc, which is also a plus. (Since they tend to be rather passive and bland most of the time...at least to me.) 

The current arc is pretty fun so far. Kalim and Jamil developed a lot since the last arc, so it’s awesome seeing that growth in action. The Pomefoire trio are all fun characters in their own right. Vil breaks a lot of tropes with the Alpha Bitch Cliche (you know that bland one dimensional mean girl who only exists to make the heroine look better by comparison), since he’s a dude who wants everyone around him to be better people, works his ass off, might’ve cam from a poor background (not sure yet) and can rock heels better than I can. Vil’s monologue about gender norms being bullshit, being LGBT myself, was such a mode. Because fuck gender norms. The whole situation going on with the trio is treated in a balanced and nuanced light, since Vil nor Epel is completely right in the situation. (Though, I wish Vil would stop pushing Epel around.) I can’t wait to see how the rest of the arc will play out.  

9. What is your favorite outfit?

Honestly, I don’t really have one. I guess the Daisomnia outfit is cool.

11. If you had a unique magic, what would it be?

I think I would either have similar to Kalim’s magic (so basically a waterbender) or something like that one Jojo power where my stories write themselves while I’m away thinking about it (which I wish was the case...though, I think every writer does xD) 

12. Which dorm do you think you’d be sorted into?

I took some quizzes, and they said Scarabia. I can see that. I tend to be a huge planner when it comes to my stories, both fanfiction and original, and my job. 

[constantlyirksome]

This Week Euphoria Walks the Line Between Reality and Fantasy (1x07 Review.)

The episode is named “The trials and tribulations of trying to pee while depressed,” which sounds funny until the reality behind it is revealed. Rue is almost catatonic during a depressive episode, so emotionally fatigued that she can’t even get up to pee. That’s the theme at the core of this episode, peeling back peoples perceptions of illness, romance, and sexuality.

I don’t suffer from bipolar, but a combination of depression and anxiety, and the portrayals by Zendaya of her lows and manic highs were spot on. Rue was largely bedbound, consuming copious amounts of television and avoiding looking after basic human activities like eating or hygiene. She doesn’t find joy in things that usually interest her as they start to become emotionally taxing. She starts watching Love Island marathons because reality TV doesn’t take a lot of energy to consume and can be quite comforting.

She tries to draw energy from her memories but finds it more and more difficult to remember what actually brings her joy. “Eventually all you think about is how life has always been this way, and will only continue to be this way….”

These scenes, for me at least, were some of the most relatable and comforting than I’ve seen on TV in a while. Zendaya approaches these topics with care not to overdo it, with a knowing humor that comes from being a Gen Z kid who knows her audience, because almost everything lands or has an impact. The scene where Rue experiences a bout of mania was brilliant, likening her heightened mental state to one of an overworked, paranoid detective, was genius. Detectives Bennett and Lexi Howard actually manage to piece together what happened with Jules, Nate, and Tyler. You have to wonder what Rue’s actual physical state was when you take away the magical realism and suspenders.

I think it’s important to separate Rue’s mental state from her relationship with Jules, both because it’s not fair to put that much pressure on someone, and because I don’t actually think they’re related. Rue may have tried to sober up but anything that happened after that was biological. No one could/should blame Jules, who has been put in a difficult position despite how much she genuinely loves Rue. It’s not fair to hold someone on a pedestal, just like it wouldn’t be fair to make someone feel like a burden or “boring”. (Jules said this last week but couldn’t possibly mean it.) In this was Euphoria sends an important message about looking after yourself, boundaries, and dependency. Hopefully Jules and Rue can find a middle ground where they can support and uplift one another without relying on each other for happiness and health.

Jule’s Journey leans more toward fantasy, as she heads into the city to escape the situation she’s found herself in, confiding and hanging out with some old friends. Her insight into why she has casual sex, to achieve new heights of femininity, and to then shatter that concept entirely, answered a big question as to her motives. And it humanized her, which is something the show needs to do more of. The reactions I’ve seen saying if she leaves Rue she’s heartless is an attitude that reflects the shows focus on Rue when Jules has motivations and feelings of her own. In maintaining this manic pixie dream girl thing the audience becomes more alienated towards a character that could be really important to the LGBT and trans communities. She’s not perfect, ghosting her best friend just to send her a guilty “I miss you” text was a dick move, but not nearly bad enough to vilify her.

Her final scenes, in the club (overlayed with scenes of Rue passing out from a kidney infection) admittedly confused me. Was Nate actually there? Who was she actually having sex with?

The other characters only got slivers of progress. This week’s flashback is for Cassey, and while we get a sad look at her history with her father it does little to add to her character and zero impact on her current problem, an unwanted pregnancy. Her and McKay deal with the issue with a lot of maturity actually. While Cassey dreams of starting a family, that maybe it’s what she’s “meant to do with her life,” but ultimately she was just daydreaming as McKay lays down some hard truths about what being unwed teen parents would be like. The storyline wasn’t given the time or emotional weight needed and was tossed aside again to deal with Rue and Jules.

Kat was given two scenes, one was a fight with Maddy and another was a cam session gone awry. Because Kat has had more screen time and a fuller narrative so even these had more of an impact. She’s starting to realize while her new persona and philosophy towards sex is liberating, it comes with some drawbacks. The creepy video chat she has could be foreshadowing to her final transformation in the season finale that I’m excited to see.

Lastly, the peoples champion Fezco. I’m always cautiously praising this guy because, despite the good he does, he’s still a drug dealer who deals to kids. His refusal to sell to Rue didn’t feel like a big enough step, but throughout the season he’s had enough conversations with Rue for us to realize he does actually give a shit. Last week they had a touching moment at the Halloween party, and this week he sat patiently and listened to Rue rambling while he tended to his sick grandma. He looks on at Rue like a wilful little sister; even their dialogue seems like sibling rivalry (“sit yo manic ass down and shut the fuck up,”) while he’s trying to protect her from the gnarly drug dealer he works under. There’s a peek into what his work life is like, the pressure to sell enough to make the higher ups happy. With only one episode left I would love to see a flashback episode for how he got to where he did.

His showdown with Nate was a triumph. After telling Rue that threatening Nate was crazy, Fez can’t help himself when the lanky son of a bitch wanders into his den spouting off. Fez rightly reminds Nate that he is actually a gangster and will end his sad existence. I don’t know how Euphoria has managed to make a character like Fez so popular or likable, but I hope we get more of him next episode and next season, and while I hope Nate gets what’s coming to him I hope it doesn’t come at Fezco’s expense. (But really Nate signed his own death warrant as soon as he called the cops, Fez’s bosses will NOT be happy.)

I honestly don’t know where Euphoria will take its finale as Rue and Jule’s relationship, as well as Nate’s shenanigans, come to a head, and so far it’s been pretty hit and miss with story progression/ending things, but I still have hope it will be satisfying.

[rileychester]

Ok I’m trying to gather information, cause I was thinking back of TV history of LGBT pairings, MLM and WLW in US Primetime shows that everyone and their brother has access to.

And it has to be basic tv like ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, or the now defunct WB, and UPN.

So no streaming, no basic cable, no premium cable, no web series, it has to be basic tv that everyone has access to.

And I was thinking of good representation only.

Where they get the same treatment of the MLF counterparts. And when I say the same treatment, the same kind of storylines, character development, character arcs, affectionate, screen time, intimate scenes, they get to be happy and healthy, partners in every sense of the word, press coverage, press promotion, no stereotypes, no cliches, and no downplaying them as a pairing to third string just because they are LGBT. They don’t have to hide away their relationship or be in secret, or downplay how they feel about each other to make others happy. Where they are welcome, accepted, and loved together and not constantly being attacked.

And there can’t be any unnecessary drawn out suffering, where they are tortured or the sad LGBT characters who are constantly going through hell. Where they have to break up and end up apart because of reasons that wouldn’t split up a MLF pairing. Where they actually get a happy ending and are committed to each other. Maybe even have them be the kind of relationship and love that inspires others. And absolute no burying of the gays. (So even if the pairing is amazing up to the point that someone is killed off, doesn’t count. They have both have to make it to the end of this story. I’m looking at you Willow and Tara from BTVS.)

Where it’s one or two main cast characters who aren’t just secondary couples that come in every so often to check a token card for diversity. This is not a one note pairing, this is a pairing that has some meat to it’s bones. You get to see their love story over several seasons, not just one or two very special episodes. Where they are show to be just as much as a part of the show and story as the rest of the straight cast and MLF pairings.

And honestly I can only think of a few pairings in all.

Mitch and Cam from Modern Family

Kurt and Blaine from Glee

Brittney and Santana from Glee

Ray and Kevin Brooklyn 99

Connor and Oliver How To Get Away With Murder

Kevin and Scotty from Brothers and Sisters

Bryan and David from The New Normal

I don’t know if Callie and Arizona from Grey’s Anatomy count since didn’t they end with them broken up?

Walt and Bennett from the Carrie Diaries

Nine in all of network tv? Really?

Is there any other ones I’m missing, at least one of them has to be a main character, they have to both still be alive, be in a committed relationship, the relationship hasn’t been downplayed, they and be on mainstream primetime, no cable or streaming allowed.

[ripleyvansant]

01 / BASICS

Full Name: Ripley Daniel Van Sant Nickname: Rip (No one calls him that) Birthday: April 1st Gender: CIS Male Sexual Orientation: Pansexual Astrological Sign: Aries Spoken Languages: English Birthplace: Asheville, NC Relationship status: Singleish? Do I know what’s going on with Cam & Ripley? Nope. 

02/ PHYSICAL TRAITS

Hair Color/Style: Brown, long Eye Color: Brown Face Claim: Joe Keery  Height: 5′11″ Tattoos: None Piercings: He has his ears pierced but never wears earrings.  Unique Attributes: Scars

03 / PERSONALITY TRAITS/TYPES

Positive Traits: Charismatic, Flexible, Independent, Peaceful, Relaxed, Sociable, Youthful Negative Traits: Aimless, Artificial, Casual, Cowardly, Disloyal, Escapist, Narcissistic, Selfish Hobbies/Interests: Looking up conspiracy theories, weird lore, video games, going to parties, pressing wildflowers Insecurities: Regression in his healing Quirks/Eccentricities: Never stops talking about bullshit MBTI Type: ENFP (The Campaigner) Enneagram Type: Type 4 (The Enthusiast) Moral Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Temperament: Sanguine

04 / FAMILY & HOME

Immediate Family: Marshall (Father), Elisabeth (Mother), Leslie (Mother), Pop (Older Brother), Etta (Older Sister), Hedwig (Younger Brother), Kora (Younger Sister) How do they feel about their family?: With the exception of his father, Ripley is close with all of his family members. He loves his mothers with a passion because they’ve always been there for him. All of his siblings were also supportive of him as well, which makes him love every single one of them. As for his father, if Ripley sees the man again, he’s probably going to have a few choice words for the man. Ripley hates his father. The man promised to come back and didn’t come back. He doesn’t think he can forgive him for that. How does their family feel about them?: Ripley’s mothers are both really worried about him. They know he tends to be self destructive and try to curb that as much as they can, but they know they can only do so much. They’ve always been supportive of him and will do anything he needs to help heal more quickly. Ripley’s father does care, except things happened where he couldn’t be near the family anymore and while Ripley doesn’t know this, his father does still care about him. As for his siblings, Kora is annoyed that Ripley is the reason they had to move her freshman year of high school to a new school. However, they all are concerned for him. Pets: The Van Sant’s have a dog named Scoot and feed a two stray cats which they’ve named Buttercup and Westley. Where do they live?: Blowing Rock, NC Description of their home: Ripley’s home is a small cabin in Blowing Rock. There are four bedrooms, meaning Ripley shares his room with Hedwig. The cabin itself is very open, yet still cozy feeling. Description of their bedroom: Ripley’s room at home is covered in posters of his favorite bands and pictures of his families. He has a I Want To Believe poster above his bed that’s very faded and old, but it’s his favorite. He has a bookshelf with a bunch of conspiracy theory books. He’s got a few movies as well that are mostly popular movies, but also a small collection of Land Before Time films because those are his favorite movies.

05 / THIS OR THAT

Introvert or Extrovert? Extrovert. Optimist or Pessimist? Pessimist??? Leader or Follower? Follower. Confident or Self-Conscious? Self-Conscious, but also confident. He’s weird. Cautious or Careless? Careless. Passionate or Apathetic? Passionate. Book Smarts or Street Smarts? Book Smart. He skipped 4th Grade.  Compliments or Insults? Compliments.

06 / FAVORITES

Favorite Color: Green. Favorite Clothing Style/Outfit: He wears whatever looks good on him. Usually that consists of Converse, paired with a plain colored shirt (usually blue, yellow, or green), jeans, and his bomber jacket. He likes feeling comfortable, but he also likes to look good. It also depends on who he’s with as to what he’s wearing because he has outfits to fit all sorts of groups, including some very goth-like outfits. Favorite Bands/Songs/Type of Music: He’s not picky about his music. As long as it’s got a good beat and doesn’t have terrible lyrics he likes it. Ripley loves supporting artists that specifically write songs about the LGBT+ community. He tries not to support problematic artists as much as possible. Favorite Movies: The Princess Bride, Labyrinth, Land Before Time, Scooby Doo, National Lampoon movies Favorite Books: Everything You Know is Wrong, 100 of the Top Conspiracy Theories, Harry Potter, Alex Rider, Lord of the Rings Favorite Foods/Drinks: He’ll try anything, he’s not picky about what he eats, but he doesn’t eat a lot of red meat and hates the taste of most birds. Water is his favorite thing to drink.  Favorite Sports/Sports Teams: Sports were never his thing. Carolina Hurricanes (he doesn’t like hockey, but he’ll watch it if someone else likes it), Asheville Tourists, Appalachian State Mountaineers Favorite Time of Day: Evening. Favorite Weather/Season: Summer. Favorite Animal: Dogs.

[girlyandunruly]

The 21st Century Feminist

When I was 10 years old I remember being in the kitchen with my parents and I was discussing how my own house would be in the future. I wanted to have a gym and a library… (Sounds a bit unrealistic now haha) and my father’s response was “but why do you want to get married so soon?” which I answered with no hesitation “who said I need to be married to have my own house?”

I didn’t think much of it at the time but I’m now realizing I was always a feminist without even knowing there was a term for it. I never thought I was different than boys. I’ve always thought I was capable of anything. If I wanted a house, an engineering degree, climb the highest mountain, travel through another continent by myself… I will do it and I’ve never thought I needed anyone for financial support or physical protection. I’ve never followed or believed in society’s rules such as the man being the provider. I split checks with my boyfriend every time we eat out, I pay for my own expenses, I don’t believe in a “role” for women or men, I believe a relationship is a partnership where both parties should be respected, supported and no one is “wearing the pants” as people like to say.

There’s a new feminist movement rising which has boosted after the last U.S presidential elections. There has also been controversy opposing the women’s demonstrations, basically saying women have it good in America, there’s no need to protest anything, we just want attention and there are other countries with real problems… But here’s the thing. We elected a misogynist to be the leader of the free world.

A presidential candidate caught on tape calling a woman a bitch, wanting to cheat on his wife and bragging about sexually harassing women – all in a few seconds recording. And this is only one of the numerous times he has disrespected women before and during his campaign. This is not okay. This is not normal. And women are pissed. 

So you ask why is there any feminist movement in 2017? 

This is my life:

   • I grew up with two brothers and my parents never treated me differently than the rest, especially never expected less intellectually or physically.    • I feel safe in my home with my loving, supportive and respectful partner.    • I have great health insurance.    • I work for an environmental organization where women are valued and respected.

But this is not the case for every woman in this country and in the world. There are women that did not have the opportunity to grow up in an environment where they were treated equally. I do not protest for my own personal benefit but to stand up and speak for those without a voice. I speak up against domestic violence, sexual harassment/assault, to preserve women’s reproductive rights and for women to be valued in the workplace. How can anyone oppose this?

And that is why I joined the Women’s March on January 21st, 2017 in my wonderful city: Denver.

The official Women’s March mission statement:

1) All women shall maintain the freedom and lawful protection to choose what is best for them as it concerns their biological and reproductive health.

2) The diverse and vibrant communities of the United States of America shall be protected from political factions that would seek to inhibit their expression and existence by implementing legal restrictions on personal freedoms. These diverse and vibrant communities are the fabric of our great country and shall not be torn by hateful, divisive, and racist rhetoric or actions.

3) All people, regardless of gender, gender identification, ethnicity, racial heritage, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and/or socioeconomic status shall be treated equally and equitably, with respect, dignity and justice for all.

By bringing thousands of people together online and in person at Denver’s Civic Center Park, we strive to provide an outlet and support for those who wish to:

1) Advocate for and defend the most marginalized members of our society.

2) Connect with like-minded individuals and organizations within local Colorado communities.

3) Serve as a model of peaceful demonstration for the young women and men, and girls and boys, who will be the leaders of tomorrow.

4) Honor the women and men who have come before us and fought for human and women’s rights.

A march and rally to voice our unity and support for human rights and social justice.

The moment I read about the Women’s March coming together, I gathered a group of friends to join; people that have never protested in their life. 

Being a veteran activist myself, I came prepared with important phone numbers sharpie written on my arm -in case I got arrested or my phone got stolen- and a GoPro cam attached to my chest filming the whole time in case shit went down.

Luckily it was quite the opposite! The march started as a peaceful demonstration and it ended with the same intention. The Women’s March has been one of the most awe-inspiring events I’ve participated in the U.S. Being surrounded by 200,000 likeminded people from all walks of life, showing their solidarity, love and support for women’s rights, Black Lives Matter, freedom of religion, refugees, freedom of the press, Affordable Care Act, LGBT rights, immigration reform and climate change. You know, the long list of issues to protest…

I didn’t even know this event was a worldwide protest! It was the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history. It’s estimated a worldwide participation of 4.8 million people. At least 408 marches were planned in the U.S. and 168 in 81 other countries. It was a great day.

Those opposing the march asked what are we going to accomplish with this protest? We exercised our first amendment’s right to make our voice heard. And judging by how much the hot topic issues have been discussed, I’d say we’ve accomplished A LOT. And this is only the beginning.

Even though celebrities are NOT the face of the movement, Aziz Ansari NAILED it with great material following the Women’s March success with his SNL opening that same night:

“Change doesn’t come from presidents. Change comes from large groups of angry people. And if Day 1 is any indication, you are part of the largest group of angry people I have ever seen.” - Aziz Ansari.

Only one week of Trump’s presidency and we’ve had “alternative facts”, executive orders jeopardizing the environment, media intimidation and blackouts, mosques in Texas burned to the ground, the unnecessary wall being built with our tax dollars and the latest news: closing the borders to refugees from around the world and temporarily suspending immigration from several predominantly Muslim countries.

I guess the Women’s March is one of the many protests I will be involved in going forward. I’m not an illegal immigrant, I’m not a Muslim, I’m not gay, I’m not a single mother, I don’t have a disability, I’m not a person of color… but Trump wants to threaten their human rights and mother earth? NOT ON MY WATCH.