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444namesplus · 5 days ago

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#204

Aleamar Cath Aleaude Viracann Alebald Fodhéire Alegrah Alla Alehan Gora Aleharl Mear Alejami Edgeodh Alelaus Dan Aleolge Aurahona Alesann Gentàil Aliabert Aoil Aliadill Earylang Aliagise Donaoil Aliamali Arah Alianata Ruim Aliario Helmblin Aliawill Mean Alibret Nicarain Alichur Morgcart Aliebrin Pada Aliecurt Dail Alieenza Tinois Alieger Ois Aliemina Ois Aliemore Muelsain Alienika Haweary Aliepete Ragh Alievina Mait Alimcki Rónstín Alinand Caid Alirald Lan Aliranz Justeard Alirio Each Alirudo Honnaill Aliutta Ainnfion Amanacob Chal Amandick Camh Amanrank Boltaois Amansco Cala Amanstes Earg Amarhen Lentarah Amarlean Mernian Amarolas Eimh Amarster Jonameid Amarvira Beir Amedacey Élialath Amedfann Mach Amedfren Ara Amedrain Mèin Amedvin Ricedair Andahara Éad Andahari Winmean Andamar Curtard Andamick Selmard Andaroa Bail Andayoun Neag Andeanan Boch Andehold Frenuall Andekens Oilmac Andelie Heidmèin Andlene Cual Andmire Eirt Andtany Aituall Angedell Card Angesola Feidmios Anglieb Deac Anglore Cellait Angmuel Finnmala Annalle Malalubh Anngis Haneird Anngree Oilt Annhard Nadedabh Annydona Meid Annyglas Miraara Annyjona Eoch Annysant Flan Ansalie Baigmean Ansamed All Anscas Mata Ansmart Raseoch Ansmich Éibh Arlhes Caiddail Arllara Tolm Arlsela Heruaig Arltor Brandar Arlwill Érieuait Arlwin Atha Arndamed Róngeil Arndfaul Mean Arndmina Jonasean Arndolan Fredbear Artadway Fredfoir Artaelle Cair Audaves Heidsios Audebrin Saig Audechez Ernauill Audegree Fric Audejone Aith Audethew Gara Audfaul Cha Audferd Cealagan Audhard Earr Audleen Ait Audmini All Audracy Ruis Audrona Tolm Audvale Róid Auraaman Émilbrós Auracath Cein Auracha Aleoilt Auragis Gear Auraosby Nual Aurebake Neag Aureemer Cart Aureguth Gal Aurenade Gill Aurenell Colasaig Aurereil Andamoir Aureval Rentlas Aurevin Eleneigi Aurevina Émieard

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Carhew Sain Carreil Tair Carrude Generóid Cathbene Agan Cathdall Éire Cathlein Baraflan Cathémie Mail Cathémil Eirt Chandeck Ard Chandele Seal Chanlieb Ruis Chanmald Loch Chanolan Fing Charisa Coreaibh Charsale Pettaoin Charvald Uait Colahard Caog Colamine Romeeil Colaémi Olasbre Colealie Bertraic Coleally Garfith Coleaura Maid Colefer Bleanna Colegene Niam Colehelm Pottailt Colelieb Moir Colelien Taicflan Colerali Ralibair Coleric Eabh Colester Réas Coreanda Rianbrón Corevic Lisasios

Deleedge Rickneac Delekris Ceac Delestes Móir Diaaure Fear Diabyer Chezhona Dianally Sailmair Dianann Eig Diangran Cait Dianmcki Aleáin Diannika Éabh Diarica Fing Didialia Nual Didiaura Freyeig Didibens Seag Didistes Aogoir Diebrin Éad Diecall Aceysios Diecell Phyeig Diedcand Drum Dieden Ailteard Diedfran Roincaid Diedmond Bateail Diemart Eith Diemond Cala Diemyer Vicbuis Dienine Neag Dierbel Bertdiar Dierrice Brettiar Dierrole Rittnial Diervane Tanymaig Donabowe Bishcath Donasea Deanbeir Donaswan Ainnflim Dustali Beac Dustdena Nian

Elmaalsh Nineraid Elmaaud Sara Elmanath Helris Elmande Kelltàil Elmarudo Eamh Elmavale Antmais Elmawin Bain Elmbent Portrail Elmharl Aganaoil Elmnine Michfris Elmrald Tereig Enzarams Réan Erikmick Ara Erikmina Ailt Erikram Liameoir Erinaude Neac Erindele Freduaig Eringen Annárd Erinmil Haraéibh Erinnado Brón Erinnick Masseil Erinotte Geinirig Erinster Mireais Esteali Ragh Estealie Meallona Estebald Santodh Estehard Toir Estemed Deir

Fanntin Eith Feracey Grancail Feralla Aill Ferdala Cean Ferdcars Lona Ferdest Foreéad Ferdmed Helmdeac Ferdrica Anggill Ferdter Stelneag Fergome Eary Fermed Nellsain Fernand Yolaois Fredali Dala Fredbyer Victolm Fredeleo Neac Fredenza Dailath Fredharl Michdear Fredheco Phiaodh Fredmarl Miramóir Fredmill Feidmail Fredsimo Clarseac Friebony Cinnris Friecob Eirt Friefer Fanncoil Frieheco Liseeird Friejero Canndair Frieolin Aoil Friesela Coircios Frieselm Uinn Frieshop Sair

Gaëlaude Ceas Gaëlbene Allcona Gaëlodie Raic Gaëlsimo Crón Genbric Eirn Gendick Dean Geneaman Iric Generion Herdian Genesing Aith Genewald Cion Gengate Diadiar Genpier Neas Genrick Angeoil Gensta Eirt Gerdust Raid Gerhard Carsail Gerime Harlioda Germon Dabh Gerpete Lynecaog Gerphia Raig Gerquel Andfinn Gerrold Roleaoil Ginecas Porteach Ginester Ciam Ginicola Oilt Ginidell Neam Giniedin Éada Giniglas Tàil Gisale Cios Gisearl Deag Gisefrey Bair Gisephie Deir Gisetron Shaoire Gisgini Hancara Gislian Gineeac

Haneang Drum Haneanny Cróngein Hanearl Deas Haneaud Rainais Hanemini Gala Hanesten Audeeigi Hanfred Toneil Hanmin Foir Hannclar Solagala Hanngran Dailmail Hannine Uingcata Hanntine Eard Hannélie Mickail Hanrali Monuall Hanree Leanseal Hantin Eamh Harafren Emerodha Haraharl Verannd Haramers Minieoir Harbank Mach Hardlent Alllear Harfran Deir Hargrah Hona Harlang Foreaoir Harlcart Eiliric Harlgaël Dordais Harlmend Dracran Harlmil Sios Harlmina Coil Harlrain Mineárd Harlrald Mickdabh Harlrick Carr Harque Elixois Harrank Lona Harwald Aill Heidchel Elmafodh Heiddian Flan Heidpick Maralan Heidric Oirn Heidrome Buisdala Heidrona Aith Heidsale Nieleamh Heldall Sail Heleavez Deasual Helegold Árd Helehelm Uall Helerach Gismear Helerily Éan Hellion Dala Helmavez Iar Helmhick Cróndean Helmman Sara Helmmin Éliebail Helmrion Chadrum Helmrome Maig Helmuel Moir Henbert Rudeas Henrand Stínlang Heraman Tolmgara Herbric Eim Herdia Boch Herdore Tair Herfarl Hineeary Holddows Dais Holdhelm Daigdiar Holdmil Ais Holdrali Cail Holdvane Éimh

Iloant Ruimneam Ilocass Uill Ilomine Fredsair Imebate Deag Imedier Foir Imegis Romecach Imemara Saincain Imenica Main Imeroa Gishona

Jonacell Valdbarr Jonacore Wandhonn Jonalara Gala Jonaolan Taic Jonaracy Éire Jonaram Hannmèin Jonatall Sala Jonaval Walddamh Justaude Ainn Justelia Dail Justnado Fricséad Justrude Glascamh Justvald Róid

Karsanda Ruis Karsgent Maldcach Karsing Yolacail Karsric Lydegill Karsvan Rain

Laraann Vinarail Laraans Ingail Laraden Nikaeil Laramass Cha Lararanz Machpada Laudglor Crón Laudmega Minafris Laudrald Minannd Laudyan Róid Laudélie Ralinear Lausdied Meanbair Lausman Eird Lenedian Estearah Leneerin Moir Lenelore Siosleas Leneutta Gala Lentlaud Lardgal Liamalls Denaarah Liamans Dan Liamdore Éann Liamlisa Odh Liamodie Sellcais Liamvic Carr Lianbric Singlear Lianell Odh Lianjust Gear Lianrali Caircios Lianrobb Antuall Lianster Taincarr Lianvale Mala Liebalsh Oire Liebdie Frismait Liebpard Cualcarr Liebphie Caog Liebutta Math Lieerik Beac Lienali Árd Lienger Cath Lienhen Dilléad Liennich Barkmail Lineela Enzaaibe Linegome Dianoil Linerey Hon Lionbeve Eac Lionger Bianaith Lionmily Piermari Lionming Sadhbòid Lisabian Singcala Lisalest Cris Liseaude Carodh Liseric Willear Lisesta Aois Loreall Áil Lorefole Uaid Loreheid Lyncara Lorejona Rain Loreman Oil Loreselm Amanárd Ludoarl Allaeirt Ludodick Iricéire Ludosher Eary

Malicell Alla Malisher Gara Maliérie Stercoil Manbolt Uinn Mandalla Fric Manddie Mach Mandtorr Nuneeigi Mangard Biasioda Manhari Maraeim Mannali Rudesean Manncan Éibhcann Mannjona Cansios Mannlaus Annyirig Mannlitt Árd Mannone Gala Mannrude Craycach Mannste Hona Manola Didiiric Manolas Ait Manrice Boweceas Maradows Cail Marajas Lean Maraquel Coil Maraval Fachfear Mardero Dair Marldia Diarmèin Marldwin Émieath Marleth Mademace Marline Delacean Marlvila Odh Marlyan Eith Marrand Daic Mathanda Romeeig Mathdra Anna Mathrain Fannuinn Mathston Aoig Medgree Corebeir Medming Mac Medselm Raig Medselm Éire Michando Móir Michcar Meal Michheal Gala Michnell Lubhmaid Michodie Cathdeir Michster Buigsios Mickbel Oire Mickcurt Maisneag Mickman Niameid Milcart Bòid Millia Mariraic Milmina Coil Milmon Feid Milsher Raig Milyhaw Cill Milyroa Cascean Milyselm Áinnróid Milywan Eire Minaanny Tair Minabens Cear Minaher Ráin Minamar Gear Minbrie Briniodh Mindice Coil Mindona Éabh Mineélia Bail Minhan Daig Minhan Rob Minider Cachcar Minipard Eim Minirole Eigi Minisant Randfric Minmass Cathgran Minrich Uaid Minrong Geroirn Mireglas Elixeac Mirehard Queleam Mirekris Aonalean Mireming Leasmaig Mirenica Iodhtigh Mireram Aleuait Monbony Mair Moncars Hon Mondbert Carr Mondgil Seaeas Mondhann Nikamoir Mondphy Mèin Mondrald Uttagear Monecore Valecios Moneenza Elasias Moneort Camh Moneutta Uair Monhest Eirt Monlene Fach Monmon Annadeas Montorr Alieboch Morgelma Séad Morgrica Eirn Morgster Vindeag

Nandbian Viccar Nandblan Eird Nandgil Ceam Nandlore Stacail Nannbene Diar Nannfaul Aibh Nannhane Atha Nannrole Gisedais Nataarnd Ardeach Natalene Annydiar Nathhane Quesoird Nathlieb Nichneas Nicaarl Mac Nicajona Barr Nicaques Ath Nickhen Earnlas Nickmons Uait Nikadia Wayaoir Nikafann Lachmean Nikahara Ceincar Nikaster Eimhcaid Nikavane Tinbeac Ninehele Sail

Odieande Brigcarr Odiecola Cala Odieell Charlang Odiehols Cliaioda Odieram Eibh Odierams Peráin Odiethie Toir Olaarnd Ceas Olachar Rian Olaenza Seam Olagley Eamh Olancar Nia Olandero Éabhbrós Olangord Aona Olanjami Rilyrath Olanmart Eirn Olanvina Chal Olasaman Coir Olasmill Queaoir Olasoney Eirt Olasvery Pardmaig Olgedied Rathcoil Olgehes Peanmari Olgereen Bòid Olgesand Toncaog Olgevic Goldcona Otteserg Dardrum

Petecath Sias Petefish Eoir Petejosh Antéann Petelise Beacréas Petemon Mios Petevic Jonafith Phiejami Deckuall Phiejona Mèin Phienune Ricaárd Phievald Maldeach Phieyan Fáil Pierchar Bensodha Pierdown Ath Pierlia Raftcain Piershel Larabara Piervans Helmeara

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Rainfole Stín Rainjas Stín Rainram Annd Raldanda Nortrais Raldaude Rickbrós Ralddian Dain Raldest Dein Raldgaël Iar Raldharl Maid Raldrank Alloirn Ralibret Tolm Rambian Finaraic Ramlien Pierlian Rammcki Olgetair Rammily Árd Rammina Seagfoir Ramnath Bain Ramstes Thondar Ramters Hanebuis Ramutta Angoirn Randker Sair Randlard Tolmtair Randmon Mailcein Randnath Cranáil Randpier Bianrob Randrams Carr Rankamed Laudris Rankande Raiscios Rankcole Eleofing Rankcole Rolerath Ranknath Oirn Ranzaman Laraéimh Ranzdia Lath Ranzemer Brianóir Ranzler Eird Ranzlion Coin Ranzmine Hona Ranzsha Antrail Ranzthon Éadmeid Rentshop Car Rentton Mear Rentémil Jensmaid Ricbian Dianruis Ricecand Diantàil Ricecray Cona Ricess Cann Richcope Minilona Richelm Dellailt Richlara Lachtadh Richlene Gorabre Richutta Laragora Rickgers Mala Ricklon Maid Ricphy Bonyara Rolajas Bianmaid Rolanand Irig Rolaton Dail Rolatown Aliodha Roldande Ara Roldcan Mach Rolddier Dallcoir Roldpete Vanedais Roldélie Seaneil Roleale Essmata Rolebara Cunneabh Rolecurt Doir Rolegera Olgecrón Romeando Raldtaic Romecore Diercath Romehel Lia Romemar Drum Romemers Cheréabh Rometine Dabh Ronaaure Ciam Ronabric Olgemara Ronacha Rolepada Ronadie Hencoil Ronanica Finn Ronarams Jordeird Ronasand Donaclia Ronatyle Lona Rudedona Aibe Rudegory Cear Rudeélia Mallceam Rudoerik Brón Rudoeste Olamail Rudomed Sair Rudomily Laudrais Rudonell Robcamh Rudonor Allmari Rudophie Char Rudorude Morglas

Sandang Éimh Sandans Cais Sandcas Briaeam Sandfery Pierbrón Sandharr Aing Sandhold Aithnear Sandter Amaroirn Sanncope Briasala Sanncray Cinn Sannmar Aith Saraglas Quefris Saramira Dean Selaarnd Mata Selacar Uine Selacope Thieragh Seladena Singcoin Selahel Seag Selmcass Loreaoin Selmelle Élieuaig Selmmali Thoncuis Selmrank Lora Sherell Miosleas Shersara Uinn Simoarnd Pardhonn Simodena Lionmais Simoman Grandiar Simorali Dearnual Simosimo Lang Simothon Lian Solaela Leac Solalan Wattmean Solaolly Sarabrón Solarank Aoigchar Stealie Éan Steanda Barteas Steaude Rankais Stelkris Mean Stelmara Ráin Stelpach Imedeac Stelraci Mèinear Stelrong Delestín Stenale Thiebain Stendeck Ardtadh Sterbend Eabh Stereste Nielmail Sterfrie Beisrath Stermali Saig Sterowe Lath Sterwin Piemein Steryola Eirt

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lorenfangor · 4 years ago

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I heard that #40 was super homophobic :/ so I skipped it. But now your fic is making me want to give it a try. How problematic is it? Are the characters worth it?

Okay.

Let’s talk about #40.

The plot of The Other (a Marco POV) is that Marco sees an Andalite on a video tape sent in to some Unsolved Mysteries-esque TV show, and he assumes it’s Ax and hauls ass to save him from being captured. Ax, being Ax, has videotaped the show, and they pull it up and Tobias uses his hawk eyes to figure out that it’s not Ax, it’s another Andalite - one without a tailblade. Ax is appalled at the presence of this vecol (an Andalite word for a disabled person) and we find out that he and others of his species have deep ingrained prejudices against at least some kinds of disabled people.

Despite this, Marco and Ax go looking for the Andalite in question because he’s been spotted by national TV, and they meet a second one, named Gafinilan-Estrif-Valad. The vecol is Mertil-Iscar-Elmand, a former fighter pilot with a reputation and Gafinilan’s coded-gay life partner. The two of them have been on Earth since book 1; they crashed their fighters on the planet and have been trapped there thanks to the GalaxyTree going down. Gafinilan has adopted a human cover, a physics professor, and they’ve been living in secret ever since.

Thanks to that tape, Mertil has been captured by Visser Three, and he’s not morph-capable so he can’t escape. Gafinilan wants to trade the leader of the “Andalite Bandits” to the Yeerks to get his boyfriend back; he can’t fight to free Mertil because he’s terminally ill with a genetic disorder that will eventually kill him, and (it’s implied that) the Yeerks aren’t interested in disabled hosts, even disabled Andalite ones. Despite Ax’s ableism, the Animorphs agree to work with Gafinilan and free Mertil, and they’re successful. Marco ends the book talking about how there are all kinds of prejudices you’ll have to face and boxes that people will put you in, and you can’t necessarily escape them even if they’re reductive and inaccurate, but you can still live your life with pride.

So now that I’ve explained the plot, I’m gonna come out the gate saying that I love this book. I love it wholeheartedly, I love Marco’s narration, I love Ax having to deal with Andalite society’s ableism, I love these characters, and as a disabled lesbian I don’t find these disabled gays to be inherently Bad Rep.

that’s of course just my opinion and it doesn’t overshadow other issues that people might have? but at the same time, I don’t like the seemingly-common narrative that this book is all bad all the time, and I want to offer up a different read.To that end, I’m going to go point by point through some of the criticisms and common complaints that I’ve seen across the fandom over the years.

“Mertil and Gafinilan were put on a bus after one appearance because they were gay!”

this is one I’m going to have to disagree with hardcore. I talked about this yesterday, but in Animorphs there are a lot of characters or ideas that only get introduced once or twice and then get written off or dropped - in order off the top of my head, #11 (the Amazon trip), #16 (Fenestre and his cannibalism), #17 (the oatmeal), #18 (the hint of Yeerks doing genetic experiments in the hospital basement), #24/#39/#42 (the Helmacrons’ ability to detect morphing tech), #25 (the Venber), #28 (experiments with limiting brain function through drugs), #34 (the Hork-Bajir homeworld being retaken, the Ixcila procedure), #36 (the Nartec), #41 (Jake’s Bad Future Dream), and #44 (the Aboriginal people Cassie meets in Australia) all feature things that either seem to exist just for the sake of having a particular trope explored Animorphs-style or to feature an idea for One Single Book.

This is a series that’s episodic and has a very limited overall story arc because of how children’s literature in the 90s was structured - these books are closer to The Saddle Club, Sweet Valley High, Animal Ark, or The Baby-Sitters’ Club than they are to Harry Potter or A Series of Unfortunate Events. Mertil and Gafinilan don’t get to be in more than one book because they’re not established in the main cast or the supporting cast, I don’t think that it’s solely got anything to do with their being gay.

“Gafinilan has AIDS, this is a book about AIDS, and that’s homophobic!”

Okay, this is… hard. First, yes, Gafinilan does have a terminal illness. Yes, Gafinilan is gay. No, Soola’s Disease is not AIDS.

I have two responses to this, and I’ll attack them in order of their occurrence in my thought. First, there’s coded AIDS diseases all over genre fiction, especially genre fiction from that era, because the AIDS epidemic made a massive impact on public life and fundamentally changed both how the public perceived illness and queerness and how queer people themselves experienced it. I was too young to live through it, but my dad’s college roommate was out, and my dad himself has a lot of friends who he just ceases to talk about if the conversation gets past 1986 or so - this was devastating and it got examined in art for more reasons than “gay people all have AIDS”, and I dislike the implication that the only reason it could ever appear was as a tired stereotype or a message that Being Queer Means Death. Gafinilan is kind, fond of flowers, and fond of children - he’s multifaceted, and he’s got a terminal illness. Those kinds of people really exist, and they aren’t Bad Rep.

Second off, Soola’s Disease? Really isn’t AIDS. It’s a congenital genetic illness that develops over time, cannot be transmitted, and does not carry a serious stigma the way AIDS did. Gafinilan also has access to a cure - he could become a nothlit and no longer be afflicted by it, even if it’s considered somewhat dishonorable to go nothlit to escape that way. That’s not AIDS, and in fact at no point in my read and rereads did I assume that his having a terminal illness was supposed to be a commentary on homosexuality until I found out that other people were assuming it.

“Mertil losing his tail means he’s lost his masculinity, and that’s bad because he’s gay! That’s homophobic!”

so this is another one I’ve gotta hardcore disagree with, because while Mertil is one of two Very Obviously Queer Characters, he’s not the only character who loses something fundamental about himself, or even loses access to sexual and/or romantic capability in ways he was familiar with.

Tobias and Arbron both get ripped out of their ordinary normal lives by going nothlit in bad situations, and while they both wind up finding fulfillment and freedom despite that, it’s still traumatic, even more for Arbron I’d say than for Tobias. And on a psychological level, none of the main cast is left unmarked or free of trauma or free of deep change thanks to the bad things that have happened to them - they’re no less fundamentally altered than Mertil, even if it’s mental rather than physical. And yes, tail loss is equated with castration or emasculation, but that doesn’t automatically mean Mertil suffering it is tied to his homosexuality and therefore the takeaway we’re intended to have is “Being gay is tragic and makes you less of a man”. This is a series where bad shit happens to everyone, and enduring losses that take away things central to one’s self-conception or identity or body is just part of the story.

Also, frankly? Plenty of IRL disabled people have to grapple with a loss of sexual function, and again, they’re not Bad Rep just because they’re messy.

“Andalite society is confusingly written in this book, and the disability aspects are clearly just a coverup for the gay stuff!”

Andalite society is canonically sexist, a bit exceptionalist and prejudiced in their own favor, and pretty contradictory and often challenged internally on its own norms. In essence, it’s a pretty ordinary society, and they’re really realistic as sci-fi races go. It makes sense from that perspective that Andalites would tolerate scarring or a lost stalk eye or a lost skull eye, but not tolerate serious injuries that significantly impact your perceived quality of life. Ableism is like that - it’s not one-size-fits-all. I look at Ax’s reactions and I see a lot of my own family and friends’ behaviors - this vibes with my understanding of prejudice, you know?

“Mertil and Gafinilan have a tragic ending, which means the story is saying that being gay dooms you to tragedy!”

Mertil and Gafinilan have the best possible ending that they could ask for? They are victims of the war, they are suffering because of the war, they get the same cocktail of trauma and damage that every other soldier gets. But unlike Jake and Tobias and Marco, unlike Elfangor, unlike Aximili? Their ending comes in peace, in their own home. Gafinilan isn’t dying alone, he’s got the love of his life with him. Mertil isn’t going to be as isolated anymore, he’s got Marco for a friend. Animorphs is a tragedy, it’s not a happy story, it’s not something that guarantees a beautiful sunshine-and-roses ending for everyone, and I love tragedy, and so I will fight for this story. Yes, it hurts. Yes, it deserved better. But it’s not less meaningful just because it’s sad. Nobody is entitled to anything in this book, and it’s just as true for these two as it is for anyone else.

“It’s not cool that the only canonically gay characters in this series don’t get to be happy and trauma-free and unblemished Good Rep!”

This is one I can kind of understand, and I’ll give some ground to it, because it is sucky. The only thing I’ll say is that I stand by my argument that nothing that happens to Mertil and Gafinilan is unusual compared to what happens to the rest of the cast, and that their ending is way happier than Rachel and Tobias’s, or Jake and Cassie’s. But it’s a legitimate point of frustration, and the one argument I’ll say I agree has validity.

(Though, I also want to point out that I think there are plenty of equally queercoded characters in the story who aren’t Mertil and Gafinilan - Tobias, Rachel, Cassie, and Marco all get at least one or two moments that signal to me that they’re potentially LGBT+, not to mention Mr. Tidwell and Illim in #29 and their long-term domestic partnership. There’s no reason to assume that the only queer people here are those two aliens when Marco’s descriptions of Jake exist.)

“Marco uses slurs and reduces Gafinilan’s whole identity to his illness!”

Technically, yes, this is true, except putting it that way strips the whole passage of its context. Marco is discussing the boxes society puts you into, the ones you don’t have a choice about facing or escaping. He’s talking about negative stereotypes and reductive generalizations, he’s referring to them as bad things that you get inflicted upon you by an outside world or by friends who don’t know the whole story or the real you. The slurs he uses are real slurs that get thrown at people still, and they’re not okay, and the point is that they’re not okay but assholes are going to call you by them anyway. He ends by saying “you just have to learn to live with it”, and since this is coming from a fifteen-year-old Latino kid who we know is picked on by bullies for all sorts of reasons and who faces racism and homophobia? He knows what he’s talking about. He’s bitter about what’s been said and done, he’s not stating it like it’s a good thing.

Yes, absolutely, this speech is a product of its time, but it’s a product of its time that speaks of defiance and says “We aren’t what we’re said to be,” and in the year this was published? That’s a good message.

tl;dr The Other is good, actually, and Mertil and Gafinilan are incredible characters who deserve all the love they could possibly get.

#animorphs #animorphs meta #mertil/gafinilan #mertil #gafinilan #mertil-iscar-elmand #gafinilan-estrif-valad

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