A very important followup blog · 2:01pm Jan 25th, 2023
First of all, thank you everyone for the very kind and supportive words. :) This is the right site to come out on.
Second, I'd been planning that blog for months now, which is of course why I completely forgot something important I wanted to include in it:
If I you ever wrote an LGBTQ+ focused fanfic that I panned in a review for any reason, please link it to me and I will re-review it.
I'm not just talking your standard shipfics; I mean anything from "X comes out as gay" to "here are the inner working mechanics of a polyamorous relationship with a bit of fanfic draped on them so I can submit it to Fimfiction".
While some of those are probably a bit more slice-of-life than I prefer, but I guarantee a lot of them I will have much kinder and more insightful things to say about now that I understand exactly what parts of my life have been heavily influenced by gender dysphoria. That led me to take out my frustrations on others. And also like, succumbing to peer pressure from bad actors when I should have known better. D: Mea culpa.
Nah, never have. But that's because everything I write for MLP presumes that LGBTQ stuff is not a moral issue and, more importantly, never has been. A gay stallion being gay is treated exactly the same way by a straight stallion as that straight stallion would, say, treat the gay one for liking zucchini when the straight one doesn't. Like the straight one might say something like "ugh, no, the thought of a stallion with another stallion just grosses me out", but it would be interpreted as being no more or less judgmental then if he says "ugh, no, the thought of eating zucchini just grosses me out." No offense is ever intended and no offense is ever taken, and it wouldn't even occur to my characters to interpret it offensively.
Mind this also means that for example there's no gay pride parades or the like in any universe I write. It just doesn't occur to anyone as being something worth celebrating as distinct from any other kind of love or lifestyle.
I've dealt less with trans stuff mostly because I've got very little experience with it - I'm comfortable with my biological gender and have never interacted with a trans person for any real length of time, so I just don't have the experience to really write it or address it or anything. I'll admit the most I've ever really considered writing about it is basically as kind of a comedy bit involving changelings just not getting why coming out as trans is supposed to be a big deal, that might be offensive but still makes me laugh because I like awkward situational comedies.
So something like...
Gallus: "I was born male...but I'm a hen. Deep down I've always been a hen."
Smolder: "Congrats!"
Yona: "Yak think every creature should be who they are!"
Sandbar: "Hey can I still call you dude or would you rather I stop?"
Silverstream: "Ohmygawk yay! Way to go Gallus!"
Ocellus: "Hey guys, sorry I'm late, why does everyone smell like elation?"
Silverstream: "Gallus came out as trans!"
Ocellus: "Uh...okay I guess."
Sandbar: "Isn't it great for her?"
Ocellus: "Not really..."
And then the rest of the fic is structured almost like a Very Special Episode except that the other five aren't getting that Ocellus isn't against it or transphobic or anything, she just doesn't understand why it's a big deal, and no changeling would.
You can just message me, jeez. :P
Hey, I wouldn't beat yourself up for past reviews. Everyone has their own things they're going through and as writers we're always growing and working for ways to improve. Most folks have their own tastes too, just because one review says "lol this is dumb." -- it shouldn't stop people from writing if they really love it. If you've ever done that to me, consider it in the past. Forgive yourself :)
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Agreed 100%. If we're going to visit a fantasy world with magic and horsies, why should we bring our own culture's very specific stupidies with us?
"I mean, you only have two genders to start with, which is such a stupid design. What if you want to be something other than those two?"
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Since it’s supposed to be a comedy and a parody of Very Special Episodes, the joke would even carry through to the message from the cast at the end.
Gallus: “Hi there folks. You know, we had a lot of fun with this episode, but the truth of the matter is that transphobia is no laughing matter. Even though Ocellus wasn’t actually transphobic, there are many people around the world who have to go through the issues that I did today, and people who make their lives harder aren’t funny. Their irrational fear and hatred makes the lives of trans creature everywhere that much harder.”
Ocellus: “That’s right. Even though it was just a show, it was very hard for me to pretend to not have sympathy for Gallus. Changelings like me are very familiar with the idea of identity issues, and no changeling would ever claim to “not get” that a creature was going through identity issues, or that they had finally figured out those issues, just because they’re disabled - ”
Gallus: “Oh for the love of - we just had an episode about this, Ocellus! I’m not disabled!”
Kindness and support is what the real pony fandom does best. Also, I just happened to notice:
i.gyazo.com/8959869113a6929142c95c808a09b352.png
Something something you're a gorl now. Something something here's your chance to something something a story of your own.
First off, Present, congratulations on figuring yourself out a bit more. You've got my full support to be who you are.
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When my best friend came out to me somewhere around 15 years ago, the conversation went something like "So, um, I'm gay." "Okay."... ... "Did you already know?!" "No. I just didn't think it mattered."
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I had similar reactions to my other trans friend. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t really care.” Boy was that a nerving wracking wait for the reply. I have the best choice of words.
Since I missed saying it on the last blog: congrats on figuring yourself out! It's a very freeing feeling.
For this blog: It's always tough to re-assess something. Especially after such a life-changing revelation. One fic I gave a medium review too, hit very differently after experiencing something similar in real life.
I hope that any re-reviews will be enlightening and freeing, a great way to celebrate and understand your new perspective.
CongratsCongratsCongrats
Congrats Congrats Congrats
And I do agree that this is the perfect time to plan an extra special 100th story. As for reviews, I’m content with mine. They were all extremely positive.
Gratz on the self-discovery!
I feel like everything of mine you've hated you've had good reason to. You wouldn't have punched me at Trotcon otherwise, right?
I don't think you ever panned any of my stuff, but my deepest respect for your dedication to intellectual honesty as shown in your readiness to reassess.
Also: love your new avatar.
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whee :D
Congrats, and also good job ending up on the good side of the Bronies in 2012 meme :P
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took me fuckin' long enough :B
5710594
Similar to my read on Changelings.
Some have a very defined gender identity. (Chrysalis, Pharnyx, somewhat Thorax)
Some treat gender, appearance, and species as roles to play or clothes to wear.
Some just stare at you blankly because trying to define their social role by reproductive role never even occurred to them.