#identity expression

[tam--lin]

r/Murderbot mods really said "if you can't use it/its for a fictional character, get over yourself".

[inkskinned]

the tradwife movement is the same as it has always been - back in the kitchen, back to breeding - it just has better branding.

when i was younger, i hated pink. i was not like other girls. this is now something i'm embarrassed of - this was not me being a "girl's girl."

but it was expressing something many of us felt at the time: i literally wasn't what girlhood was supposed to be. this is a hard thing to explain, but you know when you're not performing girlhood correctly. it isn't as easy as "i liked x when girls liked y" - because there were other girls that liked x, too - but i never figured out exactly the correct way to like x, or to be interested in y.

now there is the divine feminine. this is the same rhetoric it has always been: women are biologically driven to like pink and ribbons and submitting to our husbands.

the problem is that the patriarchy found a better PR team. because yes, actually, i want every woman to have the choice to be a homemaker. i also want her taken seriously for her legitimate home-making labor. i want her to be recognized as also having a job, just unpaid. i want men to have this opportunity, too.

but it is no longer "i made this choice and I love it." instead it is a sixteen-paragraph rant about how selfish it is that my generation isn't having kids. instead it's long videos about how if you feed your children processed foods, you're going to kill them. instead it is "this is what womanhood is supposed to be. i feel bad for any other choices you're making."

the shame spiral is just prettier. it is large houses devoid of personality. it is the implication: if you don't have this, you aren't happy. the solid, everlasting assurance: women are actually supposed to be submitting. this is the default. this is the natural state of things. all other attempts inflict suffering.

but you can no longer say i'm not like other girls. you can no longer reject this image completely. you cannot find it revolting, even if you know that the underbelly is toxic and festering. sure, it is the same repackaged patriarchy. but the internet does not have shades of grey. you should support and reward other women! your disgust is actually internalized misogyny. not because you are seeing a vision of yourself the way they're trying to train you to be. not because you feel her ghost pass within an inch of your earlobe. not because your father will eventually ask you - why can't you be like her?

because they figured out how to make it beautiful: women will sell other women on this idea, and we will find the singular loophole in feminism. sure, she's shaming you in most of her videos. sure, she implies that a different life is obscene. but she just wants you to be happy! you'd be happier if you were listening!

and the whole time you're sitting there thinking: i'd actually just be happier if i had that kind of money.

[interstellarsystem]

Nonhuman expressions of affection are great. Purring. Exposing weak points as a show of trust. Head bonks. Preening and chewing. Nuzzling. Biting. Intertwining tails. Feeding each other. Little chuffs, chatters, beeps and squeaks. Fluffing up of feathers, fur or other things. Dancing to impress. Cleaning their fur, scales, feathers or skin. Sharing body heat. Ears pointing toward those you care about to show your full attention is on them. Slow blinking.

[kotdish]

[femmeloverboy]

You should support, love, celebrate, and uplift trans men's manhood and/or masculinity more than you hate [cis] men. Btw.

[justdavina]

Such a sexy cross-dresser!

[iamactivedoggy]

Unveiling a Statement: The Bold "Grown Men Don't Share Blunts T-Shirt"

You're strolling through a bustling street, your outfit speaking volumes about your attitude before you've even uttered a word. That's the power of a statement tee – and one such tee that's been making waves recently is the Grown Men Don't Share Blunts T-Shirt.

Embrace the Attitude:

Are you tired of conforming to societal norms? Ready to flip the script on the expected? The Grown Men Don't Share Blunts T-Shirt is more than just a piece of clothing; it's a declaration of independence. With its bold typography and unapologetic slogan, this tee encapsulates the spirit of those who dare to stand out.

A Slogan That Speaks Volumes:

In a world that often celebrates sharing, this tee takes a different route. With the words "Grown Men Don't Share Blunts" emblazoned across the chest, it's a mantra for those who understand the value of personal boundaries and self-assuredness. It's not just a T-shirt; it's a lifestyle statement.

Crafted for Impact:

This isn't your average mass-produced tee. The Grown Men Don't Share Blunts T-Shirt is a masterpiece of design and creativity. The choice of colors, the layout of the text – every detail is meticulously thought out to create an aesthetic that's as eye-catching as the message it conveys.

Ignite Conversations:

Want to make a lasting impression? This tee is your secret weapon. It's not just clothing; it's a conversation starter. Whether you're at a social gathering, a concert, or even just grabbing a coffee, people will be drawn to the bold statement on your chest. Brace yourself for discussions that go beyond fashion.

Versatility Redefined:

Think a statement tee only works for casual outings? Think again. The Grown Men Don't Share Blunts T-Shirt breaks barriers when it comes to versatility. Pair it with distressed jeans for a laid-back vibe, or dress it up with a blazer for an unexpected twist. This tee effortlessly adapts to your style, not the other way around.

Join the Movement:

It's not just a tee; it's a movement. The Grown Men Don't Share Blunts T-Shirt invites you to embrace your individuality, to challenge the norm, and to celebrate your uniqueness. In a world where conformity is often rewarded, this tee encourages you to break free and let your attitude shine.

Ready to make a statement? Check out the Grown Men Don't Share Blunts T-Shirt and wear your attitude with pride.

The Grown Men Don't Share Blunts T-Shirt isn't just fabric and ink; it's a bold assertion of identity. With its captivating design and powerful slogan, it stands as a testament to the power of clothing in conveying attitudes and sparking conversations. So why blend in when you can stand out? Get your hands on this statement tee and redefine what it means to make an impact with your style.

[braisedhoney]

okay but can you imagine—

[benevolenterrancy]

one is a respectable adult monk, the other is 500 years immortal being, and yet somehow they're both complete children...

[ivanttakethis]

I knew that smile gaze looked familiar…

[babyspacebatclone]

A few more thoughts I had…

One of my favorite games to replay every few years is Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura. And I always make the same female elf.

Initially it was to minmax a planned build (maxing magic bonuses), but now I have an entire narrative about her journey through the world and interactions with the main npcs. No sexual connotations or identification - well, no more than I would with a book I’d reread (which is to say a nonzero amount, but not the primary focus).

There are multiple, functionally infinite reasons for a person to choose to play a specific character.

And because people have different experiences and motivations towards characters they play - tabletop, video game, even written etc. - we cannot discount their stated reasons for doing so even if they contradict our motivations.

Even if some people use video game characters to explore their gender identity during their own identity development, that does not mean every person has that subconscious motivation.

Cishets cannot impose their forced “if you’re playing Lara Croft as a man it must mean you’re sexually attracted to her,” but equally we cannot impose “You’re playing as Lara Croft because you’re a closeted transfem.”

We have to accept both are valid motivations.

As well as “I’m interested in the narrative of Lara Croft’s character” and “I care nothing about Lara Croft, I just like the platforming.”

Just because you have one motivation does not mean everyone must subconsciously be following the same motivation and just denying it.

Listen. Because our corner of the internet is mostly queer it can be easy for us to forget. So easy to forget. Most people are cishet. And when they play a video game as a different gender that’s not an egg. That’s a straight person wanting to look at some attractive butt while they’re playing a video game.

[chongoblog]

Remember that despite everything, we've progressed in the last few decades. What we see now is an attempted response to that progress. 50 years ago, or even 20 years ago, to a lot of people trans people "didn't exist" outside of a punchline to a joke, and the fight from these ghouls is being fought to keep it that way because it's outside of their comfort zone.

They can try all they might. They can't stop progress. They can't stop humanity from learning and loving more about each other. Greed and prejudice will only take them so far.

[chloesimaginationthings]

every time u draw in-game william its over fopr me...hes so sjkdjkl???

Fun fact: For my in-game William design I heavily tried to make him resemble Michael, down to very small features and quirks

[starry-bi-sky]

Blood Blossom Au: Baby's First Commissioner Meeting :)

TL:DR This Post: Danny (orphan) gets poisoned with blood blossom extract by Vlad. He runs away from him and ends up under the care of one Pre-Robin Battinson Batman! Starry is loudly pushing her batdad agenda.

(Also known as "Late At Night, When The Nightingale Sings" on my ao3!)

This was a fun rough idea I've been sitting on for weeks, thinking about how Commissioner Gordon and Nightingale's first meeting might go.

---------------

Commissioner Gordon likes to think that he's adjusting to the new normal of Gotham very well, -- the new normal being grown men running around dressed like bats, in military-grade strength body armor, committing acts of vigilantism, -- and slowly, little by little, he was no longer being surprised when this new normal pops up out of the shadows like the world's most terrifying daisy. His shaving lifespan thanks him for it.

....

The kid is a surprise though.

Granted, he seemed to be a surprise to the Bat too.

There's been a string of murders lately, -- which, in Gotham, is kind of like saying there's been another storm during monsoon season. And there's just been another; in some dilapidated building down in south Gotham, with the broken, boarded-up windows and mildew-crawling walls to match. The victim is a man in his thirties, multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, left in the center of the room for the blood to pool out around him.

The place is already secured when he arrives, the building swarmed with officers and the forensic detectives. The Bat emerges shortly after he does -- or, he might've been here the whole time, hiding someplace dark and shadowy. For his own sanity, Gordon doesn't think about it too hard.

The kid is a surprise, and he appears like a bolt of lightning.

He shows up in the middle of a conversation Gordon is having with the Bat.

A whistle, sharp and loud, slicing through the air, meant for open air rather than a confined space. Gordon's ears pierce and protest the sound, and the solemn, murmured chatter floating through the room abruptly cuts off like the swing of a gavel. As he turns towards the sound -- as they all do -- he swears, up and down, that he sees Batman's shoulders jump, just slightly.

At the source, perched on the window, is a boy. A boy in a gray-blue scarf and an oversized black hoodie, one that hangs off his frame and has ace bandages wrapped around the wrists in some attempt to cinch the sleeves. The hood is up, big like the rest of it, and threatens to swallow the upper half of the boy's face whole in the fabric. What upper half Gordon can see, is smeared with some kind of opaque, black face paint. He's holding onto the side of the frame with one hand, on his hip is a grappling hook. A familiar grappling hook.

Gordon has multiple questions, and his officers tense up.

Martinez puffs up, brows furrowing as his face shapes into a frown. Shoulders rolling back. "You can't be here, kid--"

The reaction is immediate, like a spark to gunpowder, the boy yanks his fingers from his mouth and his mouth twists into a scowl. Head snapping over to Officer Martinez, his hood manages to stay on but Gordon swears that as he bares his teeth, the glint makes them look sharper than they should be. His voice is rasp and quiet and harsh; snappish in its hissing; "Put a fuckin sock in it, Martinez. I'm not stayin."

Martinez reels back, and the boy immediately veers his attention off him. Like a switch, his demeanor drops. Despite half his face being covered, his mouth twists into a cringing, apologetic smile. Slanted and off-beat, embarrassed. It'd be disarming if this wasn't Gotham, and if he didn't just hiss at Martinez like he was about to bite his head off.

"Sorry." He whispers, voice deceptively polite and softer now. Gordon has to strain his ears to hear him. "I was looking for him."

He points his finger towards-- Gordon? No, Gordon follows the direction, and finds himself looking at -- the Bat.

The Bat, who always looks stiff as a pole, now looks even stiffer. Somehow. Well, the explains the grappling hook attached to the boy's waist.

"What are you doing here?" The Bat says, gruff and unable to completely smother the stumble of surprise in his tone.

The boy still holds a sheepish smile, and slips off the window ledge. His feet hit the creaky boards with a near-silent thud, the Batman finds his feet and rapidly begins crossing the room.

Gordon notes the slight tremble in the boy's legs as he straightens. He adjusts his scarf, which droops close to his knees now that he's standing, and slings a backpack -- how long has had that? -- off his shoulders. When the Bat reaches his side, he does as he always does, and looms over the boy like a spectre. A threatening mass of shadows cloaked in all-consuming black. Standing next to him, the boy looks teeny in comparison.

The Bat is a man who terrifies even the most hardened criminals, Gordon has seen grown men shiver in fear at the mention of his name. And yet when the boy looks up at him, he doesn't even flinch.

Instead, his sheepish smile melts away like ice under the sun, holding only traces of his previous embarrassment. It remains as a shadow on his face, a small upturn at the corners of his mouth. The boy pushes his hood back just enough to reveal glinting, ice-flint eyes surrounded in tar-black face paint. He holds the backpack up with one arm. "You forgot this."