Pop Culture
A Journey into the LGBTQ+ Experience
As a non-LGBTQ+ creator and ally, my journey toward understanding the complexities of the LGBTQ+ experience has been shaped significantly by moments of genuine queer representation. One of the most impactful experiences was watching the television series Pose. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City's ballroom culture during the 1980s and 90s, the show features a predominantly transgender and queer cast that portrays the struggles, triumphs, and everyday lives of its characters with remarkable authenticity.
By Oluwafemi Fred-Ahmaduabout a year ago in Pride
Headcanons
I've been writing fanfiction for a long time. As I mentioned in my other Representation entry, I didn't grow up seeing myself represented in Media. On the rare occasion that I did see Autism, or Asexuality, represented, it was usually as a caricature, or the punchline of a joke, or a problem to be solved. Other times, as diversity became a popular thing to include, it would be shown as an excuse for poor behaviour, or, more rarely, as Inspirational(TM), to make a character more impressive for having already overcome their hurdles due to their Special Interest being seen as valuable, like Rain Man or The Good Doctor.
By Natasja Roseabout a year ago in Pride
Mistress of the Dark, Light in my Life
There’s just something truly special about Elvira. It’s not just her iconic makeup or her infamous haunted hills or her witty quips & double entendres, no, Elvira herself feels just as familiar as Halloween or a favorite spooky movie to me. She’s become a person of comfort for me, like a beloved family member you don’t get to see often. However, everytime you see them it’s like a new magical experience that leaves your heart full. In fact, you could say ahe’s become a part of who I am. Over the years I have collected shirts and action figures, pins and posters. There’s always a little bit of the Mistress of the Dark with me somewhere in my life.
By Josey Pickeringabout a year ago in Pride
Daria Morgendorffer: The Ace-Coded Icon I Never Knew I Needed
When I think about asexual representation in media, the first character that always comes to mind is Daria Morgendorffer. Watching Daria for the first time felt like staring into a mirror—her cynicism, her sharp wit, and her disinterest in romantic entanglements echoed so much of what I had felt my whole life. She wasn’t detached or emotionless, she simply didn’t care about the things that seemed to consume everyone else around her—things like dating and sex. For the first time, I saw a character who reflected the way I move through the world, and it was profoundly validating. It was in Daria Season 1, Episode 13 "The Misery Chick" that I realized Daria was a character I didn't know I needed; she's not a misery chick, she just not quick to emotions like most people are, and that's okay.
By Karina Thyraabout a year ago in Pride
Breaking Society's Dark Mirror
The Killer … The Villain … The Peado … The Joke … That’s how I saw any representations of people like me for the majority of my life, even as a little kid. I didn’t know how to explain to anyone how I felt, so to be fair I didn’t always see trans women characters in the media as a representation of me so to speak … because for a while I didn’t know what the words were … I just felt like a girl, but I was told I was a boy and needed to watch ‘boy shows’ - but secretly, this gal always preferred to watch She-Ra over He-Man … but one show that was called a ‘boy show’ I loved was The Transformers (three guesses why lol!)
By Savannah K. Wilsonabout a year ago in Pride
The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of a Village Boy: A Tale of Modern Human Behavior
In a small, quiet village in India, nestled between golden fields and the whispering winds of change, lived a boy named Rajesh. Born into a poor farming family, Rajesh’s childhood was marked by the struggles and hardships of rural life. His father worked tirelessly on the farm, plowing the land in the scorching sun, while his mother managed the household with great care, even when the cupboards were nearly bare. Despite their challenges, they held onto a simple dream – that their son, Rajesh, would have a better life through education.
By M K Giri (AI Writter)about a year ago in Pride
Why Media Representation Matters . Runner-up in Represented Challenge. Top Story - September 2024.
My journey as an independant author began, at least in part, because I never saw myself represented in media. Oh, there were characters I loved, certainly. Some characters that I could relate to, a little, in one way or another.
By Natasja Roseabout a year ago in Pride
