#in honor of the pride episode

[the-breath-in-air]

Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Guillermo de la Cruz, Nandor the Relentless (What We Do in the Shadows TV), Nadja (What We Do in the Shadows TV), Laszlo Cravensworth, Colin Robinson, Documentary Crew (What We Do in the Shadows TV) Summary:

In which the vampires use the internet and discover what pansexual means.

[turtleblogatlast]

Unironically think that each of the bros (+April) don’t actually get how impressive their feats really are so they just do what they do and on the off chance someone comments on those feats they all react like:

[chaoticmiraclezombie]

wen kexing: i'll do whatever you want

zhou zishu: then perish

[nozomijoestar]

i love Claudine but Maya Tendo is creeping up like she might snatch her off that pedestal for fav RevStar character, as is fitting lmao

[choface]

sometimes you do get what you want 😭🩷💜💙

season 4 of Bridgerton should be Benedict and Eloise both discovering and exploring their queerness.

[bitchesgetriches]

{ MASTERPOST } Everything You Need to Know about Saving Money and Being Frugal

We’re all in this together. Don’t give up.

On food and groceries:

How to Shop for Groceries like a Boss

Why Name Brand Products Are Beneath You: The Honor and Glory of Buying Generic

If You Don’t Eat Leftovers I Don’t Even Want to Know You

You Are above Bottled Water, You Elegant Land Mermaid

You Should Learn To Cook. Here’s Why.

On entertainment and socializing:

The Frugal Introvert’s Guide to the Weekend

7 Totally Reasonable Ways To Save Money on Cheap Entertainment 

Take Pride in Being a Cheap Date

The Library Is a Magical Place and You Should Fucking Go There

Your Library Lets You Stream Audiobooks and eBooks FOR FREEEEEEE!

What’s the Effect of Social Media on Your Finances?

You Won’t Regret Your Frugal 20s

On health:

How to Pay Hospital Bills When You’re Flat Broke

Run With Me if You Want to Save: How Exercising Will Save You Money

Our Master List of 100% Free Mental Health Self-Care Tactics

Why You Probably Don’t Need That Gym Membership

How to Get DIRT CHEAP Pet Medication, Without a Prescription 

On other big expenses:

Businesses Will Happily Give You HUGE Discounts if You Ask This Magic Question

Understand the Hidden Costs of Travel and Avoid Them Like the Plague

Other People’s Weddings Don’t Have to Make You Broke

You Deserve Cheap, Fake Jewelry… Just Like Coco Chanel

3 Times I Was Damn Grateful for My Emergency Fund (and Side Income) 

When (and How) to Try Refinancing or Consolidating Student Loans

The Real Story of How I Paid Off My Mortgage Early in 4 Years 

Season 2, Episode 2: “I’m Not Ready to Buy a House—But How Do I *Get Ready* to Get Ready?��

The Most Impactful Financial Decision I’ve Ever Made… and Why I Don’t Recommend It

On buying secondhand and trading:

Almost Everything Can Be Purchased Secondhand

I Am a Craigslist Samurai and so Can You: How to Sell Used Stuff Online

The Delicate Art of the Friend Trade

On giving gifts and charitable donations:

How Can I Tame My Family’s Crazy Gift-Giving Expectations?

In Defense of Shameless Regifting

Make Sure Your Donations Have the Biggest Impact by Ruthlessly Judging Charities

The Anti-Consumerist Gift Guide: I Have No Gift to Bring, Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum

How to Spot a Charitable Scam

Ask the Bitches: How Do I Say “No” When a Loved One Asks for Money… Again? 

On resisting temptation:

How to Insulate Yourself From Advertisements

Making Decisions Under Stress: The Siren Song of Chocolate Cake

The Magically Frugal Power of Patience

6 Proven Tactics for Avoiding Emotional Impulse Spending

On minimalism and buying less:

Don’t Spend Money on Shit You Don’t Like, Fool

Everything I Know About Minimalism I Learned from the Zombie Apocalypse

Slay Your Financial Vampires

The Subscription Box Craze and the Mindlessness of Wasteful Spending

On saving money:

How To Start Small by Saving Small

Not Every Savings Account Is Created Equal

The Unexpected Benefits (and Downsides) of Money Challenges

Budgets Don’t Work for Everyone—Try the Spending Tracker System Instead

From HYSAs to CDs, Here’s How to Level Up Your Financial Savings

Season 2, Episode 10: “Which Is Smarter: Getting a Loan? or Saving up to Pay Cash?”

The Magic of Unclaimed Property: How I Made $1,900 in 10 Minutes by Being a Disorganized Mess

We will periodically update this list with newer articles. And by “periodically” I mean “when we remember that it’s something we forgot to do for four months.”

Bitches Get Riches: setting realistic expectations since 2017!

Start saving right heckin’ now!

If you want to start small with your savings, consider signing up for an Acorns account! They round up your every purchase to the nearest dollar and save and invest the change for you. We like them so much we’ve generously allowed them to sponsor us with this affiliate link:

Start investing today with Acorns

[b0ng05]

Pretty In Red - Amber Freeman

Smut MDNI 18+

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Word Count: 1630

Prompt: Amber Freeman comes home from her recent kill to find her girlfriend waiting for her with a pretty surprise.

Warnings: strap-on usage, fingering, oral, degradation, mentions of murder, lingerie.

Masterlist

Also, Not Proofread 💅

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

A quiet almost inaudible dripping sound echoed through the large bathroom. The main light buzzing as it sheds luminosity on the horrors below. The once white tiles of the floor stained and puddled with crimson. Walls and mirrors splattered with fresh blood that sprayed along it. The metal clunk of a knife hitting the tiles brought Amber from her haze where she stood admiring her art in depth. Each slash and stab articulately placed along the man’s body, almost perfect. A sense of pride filled her chest knowing she took out the guy who had the audacity to flirt with her girlfriend. A smirk pricked the corner of her lips as she pulled the mask back over her face and picked her favorite knife up from the tiles. The knife had been a gift from Y/n, who was waiting for her back home. Amber rushed out of the house and into an alleyway nearby where she had hid her backpack. Hiding behind a dumpster, she stuffs the costume into her bag, successfully concealing both the costume, knife, and effectively, her identity. Once she got home, she didn’t bother sneaking her way upstairs like she normally would. Knowing her parents were both out on business trips, she had no one to question her whereabouts except her girlfriend, who was already aware of her homicidal tendencies. As she opens her bedroom door, she’s met with the sight of Y/n laying on her bed, half-asleep as she watches an episode of Criminal Minds. Amber can’t help the smile that crawls up her lips, seeing her girl cozy in her bed was one of the best feelings in the world. A privilege that she was proud and honored to have.

“I missed you,” Y/n mumbled tiredly, outstretching her arms for Amber to come cuddle. Amber lets out a quiet chuckle, walking over to her closet to switch into sweatpants and a different shirt before crawling to bed next to her girlfriend. Amber lays on her back and pulls Y/n into her arms, laying the woman’s head on her chest, softly stroking her hair. “I missed you too,” Amber whispers, kissing her girlfriend’s forehead. “What took you so long?” Y/n asks, nuzzling her head into Amber’s neck. “Things didn’t exactly go to plan. But I took care of it.” Amber vaguely answers, softly rubbing small circles on the woman’s back as a means of distraction. Y/n placed a soft kiss on Amber’s neck, leaning into her embrace. Her hand subtly trailing under the hem of Amber’s shirt to caress her stomach. Craning her neck up, she presses her lips against Amber’s in a slow but passionate kiss. Amber’s hand trails down from the slope of her back under the blanket to grope at her girlfriend’s ass. Thinking she would be wearing the pajama shorts that she normally would to bed, but in place was a lacy feeling that had Amber smirking into the kiss as she gently flipped their positions, pinning the woman beneath her. As their lips separate, Amber tugs the blanket off the woman’s lower half, revealing a dark red set of lacy panties. Ones that Amber had picked out for her on a trip to the mall weeks ago. “What’s all this for~?” Amber teases, a hum of amusement in her tone as her finger slips beneath the waistband to snap it back against Y/n’s skin. The sensation of Amber’s fingers trailing her exposed skin as well as the nip of the cold air had her feeling more awake, and more aroused. “Well it was supposed to be a surprise for when you got home~” Y/n muses, a playful mood arising. Amber lets out a soft chuckle, leaning over the woman to kiss her neck, her tongue trailing up to her earlobe that she took between her teeth in a playful and gentle bite. “How about you take off your shirt and let me get a refresher on how pretty you look in that matching set?” She whispers before kissing her jaw and leaning back, looking at Y/n with expecting eyes and an hungry amused smirk. Y/n bites her lip as she sits up, pulling the shirt over her head, revealing the matching lacy red bra. Small lacy embroidery just barely hiding her nipples beneath, making Amber go feral at the sight. Her girl lying beneath her, in lingerie that she picked out, looking so desperate yet still so shy to the feeling of eyes feasting on her.

Amber reaches her hand beneath the woman’s back, “You look so fucking sexy baby, but I think we need this gone.” She whispers, kissing Y/n’s chest as she unclasps her bra with ease. Amber’s lips greedily kiss at the woman’s chest before wrapping around one of her nipples, sucking and swirling her tongue around the nub as her other hand toys at the other. Smirking at the whines and moans emitted from the woman beneath her. She kisses down the woman’s stomach right to the waistband of her panties. Her hands teasingly and slowing trailing Y/n’s thighs. Her tongue playfully jolts out, licking a slow swipe down to the edge of her panties. “You look so pretty in red, Y/n/n,” Amber smirks, letting her hand trail higher to the wet patch that grew in the lace panties. Her fingers run along the soaked fabric. Y/n lets out a whine at the teasing feeling. “T-thank you, Ambs,” She breathes through a soft moan. Amber lets out a breathy laugh as her eyes dilate, she leans down to kiss her hip before tugging her panties down her legs. Amber licks her lips she leans down, and licks a broad strip up Y/n’s wet cunt.

Y/n lets out a soft moan, her hand reaching down to push Amber’s hair out of her face. “Taste so fucking sweet, baby.” She hums out against Y/n’s clit, the vibrations making a shiver run up the woman’s spine. Her hand tightens around Amber’s dark locks as the woman wraps her lips around her clit, sucking and licking with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes as she stares up at Y/n. Amber’s other hand trails up Y/n’s thigh, slowly teasing her entrance with a finger. Y/n let’s out a whimper, “Please, Ambs,” She whines. Amber smirks, suddenly thrusting two fingers into the woman beneath her, smug as she writhes at her actions.``So pretty, baby~” Amber whispers, speeding up her fingers to match the pace her tongue had set. Y/n’s hips bucked up in pleasure, which Amber ends by holding her waist with her free hand. “F-feels so good, Ambs~” Y/n whines, her thighs twitching as she grows closer to her release. “Feels so good Ambs~” Amber mocks, her tone high as she mimics the woman’s moans before letting out a cruel laugh. Her fingers leave the woman’s pulsing walls. “You think I’m gonna let you come that easy?” Amber chuckles, flipping Y/n onto her hands and knees. Amber pushes Y/n’s face into a pillow, giving her a better view of the woman’s soaked cunt.

Amber bites her lip and spanks her ass, Y/n letting out a surprised whimper. “You’re getting my strap for being such a good fucking slut for me.” Amber leans over to the bedside table, grabbing out a large strap, one that Y/n hadn’t taken before. Amber secures the strap to herself, letting out a soft moan at the smaller dildo on the inside of the harness that slipped inside her. “I need you so bad, baby~” Y/n whines, arching her back to try and gain the woman’s attention back. “Oh you’re gonna have me baby.” Amber smirks, rubbing the tip of the cock along the woman’s slit. She slips into the other woman with ease, but slowing down as she gets close to the base. Y/n’s legs begin to shake as Amber goes impossibly deeper inside her. A heat in her stomach that desperately needed to be satiated. “Please baby~ Fuck me~” Y/n whines, pushing her hips back against Amber’s. “Good fucking slut.” Amber chuckles before speeding up her thrusts, angling her hips to hit spots that made the other woman's vision go fuzzy. The sound of the skin colliding, moans and grunts filled the room as the bed hit the wall. Amber’s hand showed no mercy on the woman’s ass as she spanked her, the sight of her red skin driving her into a frenzy. She goes faster as she feels a heat begin to build up in her own core. “Fuck, you’re so tight.” Amber groans as she feels it get harder to thrust, but doesn’t let it deter her as she goes even faster. Y/n’s legs tremble as she feels herself on the edge of release. “Please~! Please let me cum~! I’ll be such a good girl for you~” Y/n blabbers, unaware of her words, only thinking about the pleasure that Amber was giving her.

“Be a good girl and cum for me, princess,” Amber grunts, feeling herself about to reach her own release. Amber speeds up her thrusts impossibly faster, Y/n cums around Amber’s strap with a loud cry of her name. Amber doesn’t stop, continuing to chase her own release, and with two more deep thrusts, she comes with a groan. She lays on top of Y/n, strap still buried in her cunt as she breathlessly kisses at the woman’s spine. Her hands softly soothing over the red handprint on the woman’s behind. “Round 2?” Amber whispers with a shameless smirk, reaching up to push the woman’s hair out of her face.

[bellaramseysgf]

Bitter & Butter. (B.B)

Warnings; Smut (18+ only), PWP,oral (M receiving) pet names,angry Anthony mixed with a little jealousy,mention of past Bridgerton episodes, food for lube,fingering,kissing + more

Pairing(s); Benedict Bridgerton x fem reader x Johnathan Bridgerton.

Summary; Anthony is getting a little “tired” of Ben’s new girlfriend.

A/n; I haven’t written anything this long in a minute I haven’t written smut in a while either. Keep in mind I’ve never written for Bridgerton so if this seem out of place I’m so sorry!!

Scroll to the end for a surprise!!

Anthony was a very patient man it’s something he prides himself on if he’s honest. He’s had patients when Daphne courted and then married his best friend,when his mother yelled out that he was looking for a wife,when Colin almost married a women he knew was awful for him.

This however,this is starting to truly provoke him in a desperate and disastrous way. Ben had no clue how this was effecting him, more like how you were effecting him.

You.

You and your sweet nature. You and your beautiful smile. You and your perfect hair. You and your irresistible smell. Oh heavens your smell. It filled his every sense,it filled his dreams.

“Please” Anthony spoke taking a deep breath before entering the evening room.

“Anthony! Where have you been hiding?” His mother asked as he entered the room for breakfast. “Apologies for being so late mother” he said kissing the side of her head.

He was begging- pleading in his mind that he had waited long enough.

“Good morning Brother!” He was lucky his back was to Ben and he couldn’t see the way his face tensed, because he knew. He knew where he was you were sure to follow.

He turned and sure enough he was met with you still in your silk night gown sat cuddled up to his brother. “Morning.” He said rather shortly turning back to finish his conversation with his mother.

“Well, I’m off to meet Daphne at the garden.” His mother said leaving the room as she bid farewells to you and Ben as well.

Anthony turned to the table seeing a spread of wonderful food. Fruit,pancakes,bacon,eggs, biscuits,sausage, an array of jams and butters to top things with.

Anthony finally turned back to his brother to ask him about his plans for the day only to see Ben with his tongue down your throat, and his hand practically inside you with how far under your gown it was.

He let out a sigh clasping his hands behind his back “please keep in mind you have young siblings in this house.” He scolded his brother only to be waved off. “Benedict! Act like you have some honor!” He yelled making you jump and pull from his mouth.

Benedict looked to his brother with a roll of his eyes “everyone but you is out of the house. I’m allowed to act how I want with my lady” he huffed raising a brow to his brother.

Benedict grew up beside his brother and while he was definitely clueless sometimes he could tell when his brother was upset….or rather intrigued by a situation.

Ben couldn’t help the smirk that fell to his face when he dipped his head to lick at the sweet spot on your neck his eyes never leaving his brothers.

“If I didn’t know better I’d say someone was jealous” “jealous?!” Anthony raised his brows in shock. You just sat there dazed as the two brothers went back and forth. “Jealous,envious,bitter. You decide how to word it” he bit out at his brother. “Ben!” You scolded hitting his chest.

“Oh do not make a fuss sweet girl! He just wishes to take you so desperately it’s made him stupid” your cheeks turned red “Benedict!” You gasped.

Anthony snapped. He had been a honorable man, kept his dick words to himself this whole time. “Benedict I think you’ve said enough.” He said his eyes narrowed the color somehow darkening.

Your eyes shot to him his tone catching you off guard, he’s never sounded like that ever. You knew he was serious and you couldn’t help the wetness that coated your panties at his tone.

“M-my lord I-” you started stuttering but were quickly cut off by Ben covering your mouth with his hand. “Shush” he warned as Anthony walked up to the pair of you.

“Now, I have been a gentleman and I’ve had patience. However, you,brother, have just exceeded the last of it.” He said.

You don’t know what happened it was like a blur you just know you were jerked from Ben’s hold and gripped to Anthony’s chest.

“Hey! You know I’ll share but she is mine” Ben reached for your leg only to be smacked by Anthony “no. You’ve had her long enough” he glowered his lips beginning to kiss down your neck and to your shoulder.

His hands fiddled under your dress until they found what they wanted. Your cunt. You gasped feeling his fingers sink into you “Anthony-” his fingers were moving in perfect motions. You had never had your orgasm build so fast you squirmed the pleasure coming at you to fast wanting away from it.

“Shh go ahead tell me how good it feels. Tell me how much better than my brother I am” your eyes snapped open practically forgetting your boyfriend was right there.

To your surprise he had his own cock out slowly pumping his hand up and down his shaft. You noticed the small dish of butter had been dipped into he obviously using the melted result for lube.

“Hey, focus on me” Anthony spoke from behind you rudely pressing into that one spot that had you seeing white. You let out a whorish moan and fell back into his grasp. “Oh-” without warning it sent you shooting over the edge. You curled your toes your vision going white as you trembled in Anthony’s arms.

“Atta girl, mhm just like I said. Listen so well for me good girl” his words were already sending your sensitive cunt towards another release.

“Shit, making you cum like that? What a sight” ben added as you dreamily watched him stroked his length. His hand would squeeze harder at his tip. His thumb trailing over his own slit mixing the precum and butter together in a sloppy mess.

Your mouth watered as you watched imagining his delicious looking cock sliding down your throat. Instinctively you leaned forward “where are you going,hmm?” Anthony stated as you ignored him to take your lovers hand away. Ben smirked down at you “see even she knows who she belongs too hmm?” He remarked.

You licked a stripe from his base to his tip loving the salty taste of his pre cum mixed with the melted butter. You quickly took his tip into your mouth making your way to half his length before you choked. Benedict let out a groan and the restricted feeling of your throat.

“Now let’s see if this is worth all the screaming I’ve been hearing.” Anthony said before you felt his tip enter your soaked entrance. His tip made you whimper it was much more bulging than your lovely boyfriends. He worked his way into you slowly his warm hand holding your waist.

You couldn’t help the way your eyes watered the stretch was much more difficult than your other. When he finally stopped his hold reacting against you the both of you sighed. His from pleasure and yours from the stretch finally settling.

“That’s it baby” Benedict called pulling your eyes up to him. You had almost forgotten that his dick still stuffed your mouth. “Don’t worry baby we are gonna take very good care of you sweet girl” Anthony called from behind you.

You don’t truly remember much of what else happened it was still all a blur as you woke up later that day. The sun had now gone away a long time ago the darkness outside had you’s tumbling to find your footing.

When you were finally able to stand you realized you weren’t in your room but rather Anthony’s. The door opened and you jumped moving to hide yourself with the curtains.

“It’s just me love” you sighed hearing Ben’s voice. “Are you okay? Anything hurt?” You shook your head the only pain was from your legs which were still uncertain on the ground under them.

“Anthony was worried about you being in pain” you smiled and looked up at your boyfriend. “Is this…have you always done that?” You asked and Ben could t help the laugh that erupted.

“Darling, you were just fucked by 2 of the most powerful people in our town and you’re still embarrassed to say sex?” Your cheeks flared red and you let out a small whine in reply. “No, I’ve never seen him so…angry like that” you raised your brow.

Seems like you still have a lot to learn about these two.

[jaynovz]

[image id: A cover art for the linked podcast episode. It is a full color painting of Flint and Silver from Black Sails, depicted as Orpheus (Flint) and Eurydice (Silver) respectively. The painting is a transformative interpretation of a famous oil painting titled Orpheus and Eurydice by George Frederic Watts. The painting has rich, gold hues reminiscent of the original, it depicts Flint clutching Silver as he falls away, both wearing chiton garments, it is depicted at the moment in the myth that Orpheus turns back to look and Eurydice dies a second time. /end id]

Black Sails Nation!! We’re back!

Reading Between the Lines Podcasts returns with a guest narrator, this time! @jaynovz joins me once again, this time narrating Chapter one of her own fic, Did The Twin Flame Bruise Paint You Blue, colloquially known as the Breakup AU.

The title and the story are inspired by the 10 minute version of Taylor Swift’s All Too Well and in our interview, we discuss those parallels, the depth of the SilverFlint tragedy, the art of audio narration, and how best to approach scenes of intimacy from a narrating perspective. Jay and I also discover that we’ve made nearly identical choices for voicing Flint and Silver. This is a jam-packed interview, folks! So buckle up for this ride!

Once again, this episode has incredible cover art, commissioned from @magicbubblepipe

The art is inspired by the a painting of Orpheus and Eurydice, referenced in the fic, itself. Thank you so much, Kelsey! You’re absolutely brilliant!

[obiwanwhat]

So I firmly believe that everything Anakin did and said wasn't about him and what he needed to say, it was about what Ahsoka needed to hear and see.

There is so much to unpack within EVERYTHING of that episode but here's my attempt at trying to deconstruct the latter half of the Anakin & Ahsoka scenes:

"Ahsoka, within you will be everything I am"

For 15 years, Ahsoka thought that Anakin had died a Jedi. From the time she was 17 to the time she was 32 - it was a belief she held for her entire adult life! Her training as a Jedi was foundational to who she was (even if she wasn't a Jedi), and being trained by Anakin was the core of her Jedi training. For over a decade, she looked at that inheritance with nothing but pride over who had trained her and where she'd come from. And then she finds out what Anakin became. Obviously it's devastating to see someone who you consider family in the state, and to have them try to kill you! But the thing I'd never considered was how much it would make Ahsoka doubt herself. If Anakin trained Ahsoka - and you can bet she's now going over every memory of Anakin she ever has searching for double meanings, searching for signs of what he would become - what does that make her? What does that say about her training, and about all the lessons that shaped her?

"But my part of that legacy is one of death and war"

On top of that...Ahsoka has been a soldier and then a spy since she was fourteen. She was a literal child soldier! She was trained in nothing but killing and war, and then later had to train herself in killing and spying. Without a war to fight, who is she? Now that peace has (apparently) returned to the galaxy with the end of the Empire, what place does she have? What purpose does she serve? What knowledge of use does she have to pass onto Sabine?

"But you're more than that, because I'm more than that"

This isn't Anakin trying to defend himself, he's pointing out that to Ahsoka he means more than the death he caused, both as Jedi soldier and as Darth Vader. When he trained her, he didn't just teach her how to kill - he taught her how to respect and care about the men under her command, he taught her how to be brave in the face of insurmountable odds, he taught her how to be kind to the innocent. Clone Wars Anakin was just as much a Jedi as he was a solider, and so both trainings are what were passed down to Ahsoka. And his becoming Vader doesn't undo any of that. I don't think Ahsoka had ever figured out how to feel about Anakin's legacy, because how can she respect the man who became a genocidal monster? How can she respect and love and honor the man who tried to kill her? She should - well, not hate him, a Jedi (or even a not-Jedi) doesn't hate - but she should disavow him. But she can't, because he's still the man who stood up for her when the Jedi Council turned their backs on her, who drilled her in the lightsaber techniques that saved her life on Mandalore, who saved her life too many times to count and was her family. And she doesn't know how to reconcile those feelings with what Anakin became, and therefore she doesn't know how to reconcile the parts of herself that come from being trained by Anakin.

"You are more, Anakin. But more powerful and dangerous than anyone realized"

She's sidestepping the point by falling back on her default defense: Anakin fell to the Dark Side, and therefore everything that came out of his teachings - including her - is tainted. She still can't admit to herself that there was more to Anakin than his fall, and that all those parts of Anakin still mean something to her.

"Is that was this is about?" / "If I am everything you are-" / "then you've learned nothing"

She's still missing the point Anakin's trying to show her - that she carries his trainings and influence within her, but she is not Anakin. She is not tainted by Anakin's fall, and her fate will not be the same as his, because she's her own person who makes her own choices, and the good in Anakin's teachings - the good in her that came from them - doesn't just go away because Anakin fell. She's still so scared of Anakin's darkness - and what it says about her own inner darkness - that she can't see her own light.

"Back to the beginning. I gave you a choice - live, or die?"

For the last 10 or so years (however long since she returned from Malchor), Ahsoka's been in a holding pattern. All she knows is war, and she doesn't know what there is to life outside of fighting to live another day. She's terrified of who she is and of facing the ghost of Vader over her past. She's not living anymore, she's just surviving, moving from day to day. Anakin's telling her that's not enough anymore. Not being able to face her past and embrace her training literally killed her - Baylan was able to unbalance her enough to defeat her in a fight by stoking her inner discord. If she wants to return, she has to want to live, really live - she needs to find her direction in life beyond being a solider, and to do that she has to embrace her full legacy and training. If she can't do that, then she'll stay dead, stuck in the world between worlds.

"No-" / "Incorrect" / "You lack conviction" / "Time to die"

She still doesn't know how to see past Vader, so Anakin give her the opportunity to work through it in a way she can understand - by literally fighting her figurative demon.

"I choose to live"

By fighting Vader, by having the chance to kill him and embrace the Dark Side and realizing she didn't take it, realizing that she never even wanted to, Ahsoka finally realizes what Anakin's been trying to show her - she's not Vader, she never will be, because that's not who she is. Anakin's teachings are a part of her that she cannot escape, but there is more to Anakin's teachings than Vader, and there is more to her than what she has been taught. To find out what she is meant to be and move forward she must embrace where she came from. Only then can she return to the world of the living and move forward with her journey.

[q-isthebestletter]

"That's the deal"

In honor of pride and because I had far too much time while I was stuck in a car and on a plane, I redrew my piece of episode 200! (No, I will not be showing the first piece because I am so embarrassed about how proud of it I was.Jon and Martin, I am so sorry you deserve better, and i hope this makes up for it.)

[apoloadonisandnarcissus]

Galadriel in Season 1-2 of “Rings of Power”: Valiant, Prideful and the Darkness Within

Galadriel was born during the Years of the Trees, on Valinor, the only daughter of High King of the Noldor, Finarfin, sister to three brothers. She was named “Artanis” by her father, and “Galadriel” (Sindarin for “Maiden crowned with gleaming hair”) is the name she took after marrying prince Celebron, in Doriath (Middle-earth).

In her youth, Galadriel was known for her proud, strong and self-willed temperament, and for the unmatched beauty of her hair. She had the golden hair of her kin, but hers was particularly striking, shot with silver, and beautiful. And so much so that Fëanor was inspired by how the light of the Two Trees of Valinor caught her hair to craft the Silmarils. Three times he asked her for a few strands of it, and three times Galadriel refuse him. Galadriel couldn’t stand Fëanor and saw the growing darkness in him; most likely because it was the same as within herself.

Tolkien describes Galadriel as “of Amazon disposition”, “strong of body, mind and will, a match for both the loremasters and the athletes of the Eldar in the days of their youth”, and she would “bound up her hair as a crown when taking part in athletic feats”. Her mother called her Nerwen, “man-maiden”.

Departure from Valinor

Galadriel is adventurous, ambitious “and like her brother Finrod, of all her kindred the nearest to her in heart, she had dreams of far lands and dominions that might be her own to order as she would without tutelage [from the Valar]”.

Galadriel, the only woman of the Noldor to stand that day tall and valiant among the contending princes, was eager to be gone [from Valinor]. No oaths she swore, but the words of Fëanor concerning Middle-earth had kindled her heart, and she yearned to see the wide untrodden lands and to rule there a realm at her own will. For the youngest of the House of Finwë she came into the world west of the Sea, and knew yet nought of the unguarded lands. Morgoth’s Ring

In Unfinished Tales, Tolkien tells us Galadriel wanted to leave Valinor and travel to Middle-earth to exercise her talents; being brilliant in mind and swift in action she had early absorbed all of what she was capable of the teaching which the Valar thought fit to give the Eldar’, and she felt confined in the tutelage of Aman. In Valinor, Galadriel had been a pupil of both Aulë and Yavanna, and felt the Valar had already taught her everything they were allowed to.

This can look like a level of arrogance of the likes of Fëanor, however, this is not how Tolkien sees it. Galadriel is presented like a character full of potential, spirit and talent. And even Manwë, the King of the Valar himself, has heard of her desire to leave for Middle-earth and didn’t oppose.

Refusing the Valar pardon

At the end of the First Age she [Galadriel] proudly refused forgiveness or permission to return. Tolkien Letter 320

And this is the Galadriel we meet in the first episode of “Rings of Power”. The audience can immediately perceive she’s strong-willed, proud and rebellious, acting against orders of the High-king of the Noldor, Gil-galad, in her endless hunt for Sauron, Morgoth’s sucessor and the responsible for her brother’s death.

Galadriel is also the only Elf in Middle-earth who believes that Sauron is still out there, and means to find and destroy him, at any cost. “More and more of our kind began to believe that Sauron was but a memory. And the threat, at last, was ended. I wish I could be one of them.”

It was not your company who defied you out there, but rather you who defied the High King, by refusing to heed any limit placed upon you. In an act of magnanimity, he has chosen to honor your accomplishments… Rather than dwell upon your insolence. Test him again and you may find him less receptive than you might have hoped. Elrond warns Galadriel, 1x01

Gil-galad “honors” Galadriel by granting her passage to return to Valinor, and rest in glory. But she’s set on refusing, not because she’s certain Sauron will return, and wants to find him, but due to her belief she won’t find inner peace, until she accomplishes that, as she tells Elrond in the same episode:

Elrond: Do you truly believe seeking him out will satisfy you? That one more Orc upon the point of your blade will bring you peace? […] If you are wrong, will you lead more Elves to die in far-off lands? To convince yourself you have done enough, how many more statues would you add to this path? No one in history has ever refused the call. Do so now, it may never come again. Do so now, it may never come again. You will linger here, an outcast, poisoned in dark whispers and dreams. Galadriel: And in the West, do you think my fate would be better? Where song would mock the cries of battle in my ears? You say I have won victory over all the horrors of Middle-earth. Yet you would leave them alive in me? To take with me? Undying, unchanging, unbreaking, into the land of winter less spring? Elrond: Only in the Blessed Realm can that which is broken in you be healed. Go there. Go, and I promise you… If but a whisper of a rumor of the threat you perceive proves true, I will not rest until it is put right. You have fought long enough, Galadriel. Put up your sword.

I would also like to point out Elrond foreshadowing Galadriel’s banishment in this scene. And this is very much in line with what Tolkien wrote:

[Galadriel] had no peace within. Pride still moved her when, at the end of the Elder Days after the final overthrow of Morgoth, she refused the pardon of the Valar for all who had fought against him, and remained in Middle-earth. It was not until two long ages more had passed, when at last all she had desired in her youth came to her hand, the Ring of Power and the dominion of Middle-earth of which she had dreamed, that her wisdom was full grown and she rejected it, and passing the last test departed from Middle-earth forever. The Peoples of Middle-earth

The Darkness Within

“Rings of Power” presents some explanations to Galadriel refusing the Valar’s pardon and staying in Middle-earth. At the surface, it’s because she wants to hunt down Sauron, defeat him, and for Halbrand to be “The Lost King” who could ride [her] to victory, like Elrond says, in 2x02.

It’s because of her pride, or her desire for vengeance. However, in 1x05, and in a moment of vulnerability with Halbrand aka Repentant Mairon, she reveals the true reason behind her restless pursuit of Sauron:

Galadriel sees her endless pursue for Sauron as the means to earn her inner peace after everything she saw, did and endured on Middle-earth. It’s connected to her pride, yes, but also to her greatest and deepest desire of healing. And this is why she can’t stop her pursuit, even when we, the audience, watch Galadriel endanger her companions’ lives in 1x01. She believes only when she destroys Sauron, will she destroy the darkness within herself.

Indeed he does, because Sauron wants to heal Middle-earth from Morgoth’s corruption, at this point in his own character arc. But the “darkness within” has been present in Galadriel’s character ever since the prologue of “Rings of Power”, and this is also in line with Tolkien legendarium, as Galadriel recognizes the darkness in others as a mirror to her own, and how she refuses to talk about her time in Valinor with Melian.

And in Season 1, we see Galadriel employing some questionable tactics; in Númenor she acts behind Halbrand’s back with Queen regent Míriel to get herself an army (the army she claims to Adar Sauron promised her, in 2x06), and travel to the Southlands and defeat Sauron. There, she vows to genocide the Orcs and killing some of them in a gruesome manner (bringing them into the sunlight) just for Adar to reveal Sauron’s whereabouts, even though he already told her the truth (as he knows it): he killed Sauron.

It would seem I'm not the only Elf alive who has been transformed by darkness. Perhaps your search for Morgoth's successor should have ended in your own mirror. Adar taunts Galadriel, 1x06

And Adar will not be the only character to mention the pull to the darkness in Galadriel, in “Rings of Power”:

The light of Valinor shone upon your very face, Galadriel, and you turned your back on it. Was it truly to fight the darkness or was the darkness calling to you? Elrond, 2x01

This is more noticeable with Repentant Mairon aka Halbrand, when she acts the “Morgoth” to his “Sauron”, by tempting him with power while he’s on a quest for redemption. By then, we already have some pieces of foreshadowing on this. We have Gil-galad’s prophecy in 1x01: “We foresaw that if it had, she [Galadriel] might have inadvertently kept alive the very evil she sought to defeat [Sauron]. For the same wind that seeks to blow out a fire may also cause its spread.”

And we also see Galadriel in connection with the Fall of Númenor visions, in Season 1:

And Mairon himself confirms this in 1x08. And that explains his “are they not the seeds you planted?” in Season 2. Because she’s the one who tempted him with power, and with the pouch of the King of the Southlands (Morgoth), when he wanted to remain in Númenor in servitude, and to prove his good faith to the Valar, and redeem himself from his crimes under Morgoth.

However, not only Galadriel established a connection with him, but also said “I’ve felt it too” when he expressed his wish to bind himself to her (“Fighting at your side, I... I felt... If I could just hold on to that feeling, keep it with me always, bind it to my very being, then I...”). She gave him the validation he wanted, and made him believe she would offer him forgiveness, and he would earn the redemption he so desperately wanted. But she didn’t, she cast him out. And he wouldn’t let it slide that easily, as we’ve been in Season 2.

Growing in Wisdom

In Season 2, we saw some glimpses of Galadriel letting go of her arrogance and “galloping”, and seeing the “bigger picture” in some occasions. This is foreshadowing for her future character arc, as the wise and compassionate, yet fierce and valiant, leader we know her to be on the Third Age. From Tolkien lore, we know that as she grows in wisdom and power (“elf magic” as Sam calls it), Galadriel will leave her pride behind.

Arondir. There is a dearth of Elven heroes this night. It would be a pity to lose another. Galadriel advises Arondir not to attack Adar, 2x07

But perhaps her last scene with Adar, in 2x08, was the most emblematic of this. She has been to the Orc camp, and witnessed the funeral rites, and how the Orcs live, and realized that, maybe, they aren’t the scourged slaves she believed them to be, back in Season 1. Each one of them has a personality. Like Adar told her, in 1x06: “We are creations of The One, Master of the Secret Fire, the same as you. As worthy of the breath of life, and just as worthy of a home.”

And Galadriel is becoming more attuned to every race in Middle-earth, and the Orcs were only the beginning. And she was willingly to make an alliance with Adar, at the end. They shared an agreement (until Sauron showed up and put an end to that). But more importantly, Adar forgives Galadriel for her hatred and her killing of the Orcs. And, as I’ve talked about on my post on Repentant Mairon (aka Halbrand), forgiveness is a major theme in Tolkien legendarium, and it’s not only earned, but given as well. And by forgiving Galadriel and returning Nenya to her, Adar redeems himself (just like Gollum; which is a theme I talked about here).

Banishment from Valinor

In Letter 353, Tolkien confirms that “Galadriel was 'unstained': she had committed no evil deeds”, concerning the Oath of Fëanor. She took no part in any of that; because “she was an enemy of Fëanor”. In the same letter, Tolkien tells us Galadriel reached Middle-earth independently, and not alongside the other Noldor. And her desires were legitimate, but “she became involved in the desperate measures of Manwë, and the ban on all emigrations”.

Many (Christopher Tolkien included) think this contradicts Galadriel’s banishment from returning to Valinor. But this is an idea (“the banishment of Galadriel”) Tolkien has in place in several sources of his work. And it wouldn’t be the first time Christopher Tolkien misinterpreted his father work, either, with the Dagor Dagorath being a prime example, when he thinks Tolkien abandoned the concept when he didn’t (Christopher later corrected this, though).

And it has been noticed by many Tolkien scholars how Christopher Tolkien has “tone down” his father’s female characters on his notes and editions, too. With Galadriel being a prime example of this. Tolkien tells us on several occasions that Galadriel had aspirations of power and dominion, she wanted a kingdom of her own, to rule as she saw fit, and that’s why she remained on Middle-earth, and refused the Valar’s pardon. However, Christopher decided to strip Galadriel of her agency, and even attempted to whitewash her character by claiming she wanted to stay on Middle-earth due to her love for Celeborn, when this has nothing to do with what Tolkien himself wrote. So, excuse me, for talking his interpretation with a grain of salt.

And, since Galadriel is married to Celeborn, of course, he’s included on her plans of having a kingdom of her own (to be otherwise wouldn’t make sense), with them both ruling it, but Galadriel wants to be the one “calling the shots”. And this dynamic is what will happen in Lothlórien: Celeborn is lord, but Galadriel is *the* Lady, without her husband overstep or overshining her. I’m not seeing any contradiction here. Maybe a case of “overthinking”, because Letter 353 appears to be about Galadriel not taking the Oath of Fëanor (and that’s not the reason for her banishment).

I owe much of this character to Christian and Catholic teachings and imagination of Mary, but actually Galadriel was a penitent, in her youth, a leader in the rebellion against the Valar (the angelic guardians). At the end of the First Age she proudly refused forgiveness or permission to return. She was pardoned because of her resistance to the final and overwhelming temptation to take the [One] Ring for herself. Tolkien Letter 320

I already theorized about Galadriel connection to the Virgin Mary (she’s not “the Virgin Mary”, but a “devotee of the Virgin Mary” in Tolkien lore) but I think Tolkien is being very clear with his words here. He considers Galadriel a “repentant sinner”, and he doesn’t contradict himself at all. Because a desire for power and dominion are not positive traits on his legendarium. And the confirmation that she was pardoned by the Valar when she resists the One Ring, clearly indicates there was something more at work, and is connected with her return to Valinor.

In “Fellowship of the Ring” book, this is also clear: “I pass the test,” she says, “I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.” Her “passing the test” and resisting the One Ring is connected with her returning to Valinor.

We know, from Tolkien lore, Galadriel develops “sea longing” on the Third Age, and has a deep desire to return to Valinor, to the point of depression (she sings laments about it). One can argue she stays out of duty, but then why is she “pardoned” by the Valar after rejecting the One Ring and can now go to Valinor? The only explanation is that Galadriel was, indeed, banished, and her resisting the One Ring is her final test. She passes the test, the Valar pardon her, her banishment is lifted, and she returns to Valinor at the end of “The Return of the King”. No contradictions there.

On Christopher’s defense, he probably thought Galadriel “desiring power and dominion” weren’t good enough reasons for her to be banished from Valinor, and that’s a plot hole “Rings of Power” is trying to answer, with her connection with Sauron, and the temptations he offers her. He is, after all, the one who introduces the “desire for power and dominion” to her character arc in the show; by offering her temptations and promises of endless power (his power). Which means, Galadriel’s desire for dominion and power from Tolkien lore is personified by Sauron in the show. And the reason for her banishment, will be, also, connected to him, somehow, for Sauron has already offered her the same temptation as the One ring, thousands of years into the future:

And now at last it comes. You will give me the Ring freely! In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair! She lifted up her hand and from the ring that she wore there issued a great light that illumined her alone and left all else dark. She stood before Frodo seeming now tall beyond measurement, and beautiful beyond enduring, terrible and worshipful. Fellowship of the Ring

In Tolkien legendarium, it’s not Galadriel adventurous or valiant nature that gets her into trouble with the Valar, but her rebellious spirit, and her pride, above of all, that lead her defy their authority, and wanting to claim a kingdom of her own where she can make her own rules. In “Rings of Power” the disapproval of the Valar are personified in the characters of Gil-galad and Elrond.

Indeed, her disregard for the Valar laws is visible on several occasions in lore. Not only she “proudly refused” their pardon to return to Valinor, at the dawn of the Second Age, but Tolkien tells us, in Unfinished Tales: Celeborn was the lover of Galadriel, who she later wedded. In Letter 43, Tolkien defines what he means by “a lover” (in general): “engaging and blending all his affections and powers of mind and body in a complex emotion powerfully coloured and energized by sex”.

This seems to imply, Galadriel didn’t wait to be “officially” married (ceremony, feast) to Celeborn before consummating their union. For the Eldar, “sex = marriage”, indeed, but the way Tolkien phrases this seems to indicate Galadriel doesn’t concern herself with the Eldar ways, and took Celeborn as her lover before any thought of actual marriage. Because language is extremely important in Tolkien, and we already know “sex = marriage” for the Eldar, so him writing this about Galadriel’s character means there’s something more to it.

Interestingly enough, these two themes are present in Tolkien last letter concerning Galadriel, in 1973 (the year of his passing). Without context, however, it’s unclear if the two are related or not, so read this with a whole saltshaker:

I meant right away to deal with Galadriel, and with the question of Elvish child-bearing.

[respectthepetty]

Pride Petty Watch

Long story short, I owe the BL gods, so I'll be watching TWO series from my Petty List during the month of June. This list includes shows I haven't watched for purely petty reasons, so I'm asking the crowd to pick the two shows I will watch from all the MAME series, some censored Chinese bromances, a few sexual tension-filled Korean bromances, and one wild card.

I'm making my first ever poll, so whichever two series get the highest numbers will be the two I watch. And for all the kind people in the crowd, this is not the time to think about me. Pick your favorite. And for all the people who I annoy on the daily with my wild ass takes that piss you off, pick TharnType. But there is a possibility of a secret thirteenth option that would hurt me much worse . . .

The petty ass reasons are below the poll.

Disclaimer: If you're going to read the petty ass reasons, I need you to understand these are PETTY ASS REASONS, so don't try to hit me with 2,000 words about why me not watching censored bromances is a problem or why me not liking your fave hurts your feelings. Nah. Pick a show!

MAME

Love By Chance

This show came out at the end of 2018, and I watched the first episode, maybe first two, and thought it was boring. Then, in 2019, I saw a GIF of the locker scene, so I recommitted. I made it past the first episode just when the PerthSaint drama started spilling out everywhere, so I chucked the deuces and haven't returned since.

TharnType

For some reason, I couldn't find the first episode when it aired. Then, I found out how the first episode ended. Then, I found out about Type's past. Then, I just kept finding out more awful stuff until eventually the MewGulf shit finally hit the fan, and I was still reeling from the PerthSaint drama (and the emerging ZeeSaint chaos). At this point, I've built this show up so much that I'm afraid to see what it is actually about.

Don't Say No

A story of another GIF of a locker room scene sucking me in! After the first two MAME pairs blew up, I believed her shows were cursed, so I opted out of watching this one even though I thought it would be the one to vibe with me the most. But the biggest reason was because the main characters came from TharnType, so I felt like I would have to watch TharnType to understand this show, which was a big hell nah.

Love in the Air

I watched this through mutuals on my dash, so I feel like I did watch it. It is also the highest rated MAME series, so I had faith in it. However, when I found out about Sky's past, TharnType's ghost popped back up, and I realized this demon of a show is gonna haunt me in every MAME series.

The Wedding Plan

Y'all hated one of the leads so much while it was airing that I now hate him, and I don't think I can let that go, so I'm coming in with pre-hate and TharnType's ghost, but on top of that, some of y'all said it was boring. But what is boring in a MAME series? Consent? Not kidnapping someone? I never got answers, so I'm very conflicted about this show.

Censored Chinese

The Untamed

It's color coded, but FIFTY FUCKING EPISODES! What is this shit? Grey's Anatomy? The fuck! Second, once China pulled Addicted, I was holding grudges for life because it crossed from entertainment censorship into real-world oppression, so I could not bring myself to support media from a country that openly discriminates against the queers when I live in America where our highest court is just one Supreme Court Justice away from making us all live in the damn Mojo Dojo Casa House.

Word of Honor

It's color coded, but THIRTY-SIX FUCKING EPISODES! What is this shit? Supernatural?! The fuck! Second, I don't know the difference between this and The Untamed. Both are color-coded, one of them has a lot of uncles (?), one of them has awful facial hair, and they all have pretty outfits. Every time someone makes a reference about these shows, I just nod the same way I do when people mention Star Wars because none of it makes sense.

Guardian

I spent two years believing Killer and Healer was Guardian. I haven't watched either, but I thought they were the same show. Honestly, if this show wins, I might just watch Killer and Healer because I will forget they are not the same show. Don't they both solve cases? And because it's China, past lives must be involved, no? I'm looking at their MDLs as I write this, and I'm still not convinced they are different.

Stay with Me

It's color coded, but I know how it ends, and word on the street is that IS the ending since a second season seems unlikely. China couldn't just let me be hurt over Addicted, the original. No. Gotta hurt me again with Addicted, the remake. Rude af.

The Spirealm

First off, SEVENTY-EIGHT FUCKING EPISODES! What is this shit? Law & Order: SVU?! The fuck! I know how this ends, and it ain't happy! I don't care how people are trying to spin it, so to sit through SEVENTY-EIGHT DAMN EPISODES just for that ending already has me irate. And don't try telling me Viki combined episodes so it's only thirty-four. That's still a lot. However, everybody who has watched it says it's phenomenal, so is the pain worth it or are these people all lying so they convince themselves it was worth it?

Korean Bromance

Beyond Evil

With most Korean dramas, I feel like I missing something important. Like some part of the story does not click with me and I stay lost for the rest of the show. I suck it up for the queers, but the not-queers-but-it-is-queer shows . . . nah, and especially one about cops . . . (-_-). Also, The Worst of Evil just showed, and it was another reminder that I need these cops to quit their jobs and just screw each other. Embrace "Be Gay. Do Crime"

The Devil Judge

I know enough about Kpop to know GOT7 would not let one of its members kiss a man in this show. I looked at those GIFs of Jeff Satur and Jackson Wang on their show knowing damn well that if Wang got too close to Satur, an entire management team would have ascended from hell and kidnapped both of them, so the promo for this show was so wild because it felt queerbait-adjacent, and I was salty about it.

WILD CARD!

This option will be automatically unlocked IF this stupid little poll gets 216 votes, so I have high hopes this will not happen since I ain't that popular and I hate this wild card which is . . .

SOTUS

This show is my original TharnType. It came out in 2016. I watched it live. I watched the sequel. I remember neither. New was in it? Off was in it?! WHAT?! I have no memory of this show except Krist wiping his mouth, and I have carried that with me for eight damn years. I loved Be My Favorite, so I thought I moved past whatever strange grudge I was holding against this man who doesn't know I exist nor care, but then I saw that trailer for The Ex-Morning, and unlike Elsa, I can't let this shit go, so I'm willing to play Jumanji and go back into the jungle to finish this once and all.

So what it's gonna be, mi gente. Which demons am I facing for Pride and what shows do I get to stay petty about? Help me decide!

[fairly-sweetpea]

"OK, I'VE HAD IT!"

"I don't care who 'like- likes' me, I don't 'like- like' ANY of you back!"

In honor of the newest episode, have some (lazy) pride edits of Hazel!

Someone I know told me they thought Hazel felt very aro -And I was like, "hmm. I could see it🤔" so one thing led to another and voila! A very rushed output! Isn't she cute?

[ooooo-mcyt]

One thing that particularly strikes me as an example of Scott's honor (and the fact that he actually is an honorable person and not just putting on for his image or pride) is the wither skull situation in Last Life.

I don't think anyone would have minded if Scott kept both wither skulls, honestly. He would have been able to keep a better eye on them if he had both, and I don't think Impulse would have made much of a fuss if Scott just decided he'd hold onto both to keep them away from Grian.

But Scott didn't. He- without being prompted- made the decision to give the third wither skull to Lizzie because Scott didn't think anyone, including himself, should have the power of all three.

To me that was a big showcase of strength and integrity from him, to not just try to disarm one of the big threats on the server so Grian couldn't abuse it, but to also make the decision completely independently not to give himself the power to abuse it either.

And when the wither is formed anyway episodes later, Scott is one of the first to show up at Team B.E.S.T's base to help.

[omgthatdress]

According to legend, Marsha P. Johnson was the one who threw the first shot glass at the Stonewall Riot. Marsha would later say that wasn't true, that she only showed up to the riot hours after it began. While the story may not be true, her impact on lgbt and especially transgender rights is that tremendous.

(Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera)

After Stonewall, Marsha was a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front, and along with close friend and fellow activist Sylvia Rivera, they founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.) that advocated for the homeless trans people who were considered to be at the bottom of LGBT society.

In 1974, when "drag queens" were banned from marching in a gay pride parade because of the "bad reputation," she, Rivera, and other trans people marched in front of the parade in protest. When asked why she was there, she told a reporter, "Darling, I want my gay rights now!"

When asked what the P in her name stood for, her answer was "pay it no mind," a philosophy that buoyed her through immensely dark places. She spent much of her life homeless and engaged in sex work to survive. She was arrested over 100 times, and had numerous stints in psychiatric institutions.

(Marsha P. Johnson in a demonstration outside Belleview Psychiatric Hospital)

On top of all her tireless activism, she was a celebrated drag performer with the troupe Hot Peaches.

In 2017 the documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson came out and got mainstream distribution on Netflix. In 2018, The New York times honored Marsha with a much overdue obituary that recognized her for her work. In 2021, Youtuber NikkieTutorials honored Marsha with a look at the Met Gala, bringing in one of the best looks of the night (and one of the few to honor the "In America" theme in an interesting in creative way). In 2020, East River State Park in New York City was re-named Marsha P. Johnson State Park, and in 2023, a floral archway was installed.

I honestly had a really hard time writing about Marsha. I first learned about her when she was honored on an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2012. Back then, there was little information about her available online, so coming to understand this icon Ru talked about so lovingly was difficult to do. Ever since then, it's been remarkable to see Marsha's name and renown grow.