Karkat
November 12th, 2014, 01:09 AM
I'm referring specifically to LGBT idols here, and to LGBT as well (I don't mean to be exclusive, but well, this is a moot issue for anyone who isn't.)
Homophobia, an to a lesser extent transphobia are dying out, sure, however, it's still pretty hard- and confusing- to be LGBT youth.
Growing up (or now) do you/did you have any LGBT idols who kind of 'lit the path' for you? ("They're gay too! I really CAN do this!")
For those of you who think I'm being repetitive (LGBT already have acceptance! Go home! [Me: "You're insane."]) or think being LGBT has nothing to do with anything (It doesn't- being actively discriminated against does.), this isn't about being a minority, this is about those who didn't let potential hate and danger stop them from being open about themselves, in turn being a role model for others. Letting others know, "it's ok to be gay!", essentially. (And before you say "A person doesn't have to let everyone know who they're sleeping with!", I'll let you know that you're missing the point.)
For me, Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia were pretty big. I've always enjoyed watching Portia on Arrested Development, but didn't make the connection that she was THAT Portia until later on. But Ellen was probably the first gay person I knew of.
My mom couldn't hide her disdain for the fact that she was going to be an American Idol host. (Why those dirty rotten homosexuals, they're taking over my tv shows!) I didn't really know why. I was HUGELY left in the dark about homosexuality until about then... When I was taught to abhor it. (Though it never quite set right with me... Why did I have to be so disgusted with these people??)
I thought Ellen was hilarious, and was sad when she left the show! Then, finding out that she was the voice of Dory, and just seeing things about her as time went on, I couldn't think of her as some horrible person.
George Takei has been probably the most prominent LGBT idol for me that I can think of. He's the coolest. His Facebook page, and the way that he deals with it and his Facebook fans are honestly one of the more enjoyable things about the site. (Facebook has such a shit community. People are losers.)
I knew who he was for a good portion of my life from Star Trek, but I really started learning more about him right as I was becoming more accepting of homosexuality, and he's just so cool that he's probably the thing that have the final little push so that I realized "you know what? This is bullshit."
Neil Patrick Harris was a lot along the same lines.
I also recently found out that Jillian Michaels is pansexual, and I thought that was really cool to know, because pansexuality is nonexistent as far as the media is concerned.
I feel like I also have to give a little credit to Chaz Bono- I remember when he transitioned, it was all over in the media (pretty close to the time Ellen got married, if I recall correctly?) and before that, I didn't know a ton bout being trans. I was so... Lost. So yeah.
Other notable examples include: Kele Okereke, David Bowie, Sia, Brendon Urie, Jim Parsons, Ellen Page, Lady Sovereign
Homophobia, an to a lesser extent transphobia are dying out, sure, however, it's still pretty hard- and confusing- to be LGBT youth.
Growing up (or now) do you/did you have any LGBT idols who kind of 'lit the path' for you? ("They're gay too! I really CAN do this!")
For those of you who think I'm being repetitive (LGBT already have acceptance! Go home! [Me: "You're insane."]) or think being LGBT has nothing to do with anything (It doesn't- being actively discriminated against does.), this isn't about being a minority, this is about those who didn't let potential hate and danger stop them from being open about themselves, in turn being a role model for others. Letting others know, "it's ok to be gay!", essentially. (And before you say "A person doesn't have to let everyone know who they're sleeping with!", I'll let you know that you're missing the point.)
For me, Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia were pretty big. I've always enjoyed watching Portia on Arrested Development, but didn't make the connection that she was THAT Portia until later on. But Ellen was probably the first gay person I knew of.
My mom couldn't hide her disdain for the fact that she was going to be an American Idol host. (Why those dirty rotten homosexuals, they're taking over my tv shows!) I didn't really know why. I was HUGELY left in the dark about homosexuality until about then... When I was taught to abhor it. (Though it never quite set right with me... Why did I have to be so disgusted with these people??)
I thought Ellen was hilarious, and was sad when she left the show! Then, finding out that she was the voice of Dory, and just seeing things about her as time went on, I couldn't think of her as some horrible person.
George Takei has been probably the most prominent LGBT idol for me that I can think of. He's the coolest. His Facebook page, and the way that he deals with it and his Facebook fans are honestly one of the more enjoyable things about the site. (Facebook has such a shit community. People are losers.)
I knew who he was for a good portion of my life from Star Trek, but I really started learning more about him right as I was becoming more accepting of homosexuality, and he's just so cool that he's probably the thing that have the final little push so that I realized "you know what? This is bullshit."
Neil Patrick Harris was a lot along the same lines.
I also recently found out that Jillian Michaels is pansexual, and I thought that was really cool to know, because pansexuality is nonexistent as far as the media is concerned.
I feel like I also have to give a little credit to Chaz Bono- I remember when he transitioned, it was all over in the media (pretty close to the time Ellen got married, if I recall correctly?) and before that, I didn't know a ton bout being trans. I was so... Lost. So yeah.
Other notable examples include: Kele Okereke, David Bowie, Sia, Brendon Urie, Jim Parsons, Ellen Page, Lady Sovereign