#the ninja turtles were originally asexual and didn't like humans

[brightlotusmoon]

So... I just found out from someone that the Turtles were all originally asexual and I'm like " WTF really?! ". I am looking for proof that Laird said this because that was my headcanon for them, which is how I found your blog. Cause if this is true, like why the fuck the recent cartoons after 03 trying to erase the so little Ace rep there is?

The only proof is a fan letter answered by Laird in the 1990s. But I'm one of very few people who even remember that letter exists. I've had antis try to bully me over it because I'm implying that the turtles choose each other over others. Which they do. They're literally codependent for their own survival. But of course the deeper implication is "but would they fuck?" And that's a yes.

I have been argued at with the strange theory that since the turtles had romances throughout each version, even with humans, they couldn't possibly be anything but straight and normative. I call it the Lotus Blossom defense argument.

People really look at the most comic book characters of all time and say "there is no way they are queer or representative" and then they fight about it.

[brightlotusmoon]

After reading the fic, I wanted to add that it's literally why I write them philosophically distant from human cultures and forever curious and willing to play with human traits like cosplay. The turtle tots don't even understand how buildings work, how humans value them. And the analogies and metaphors are deeply painful and we need them and I love you for being so blatant.

Humans would hurt the turtles, the turtles will never truly fit in the human world, that's the point of the franchise. And taking a perspective of those who would be shunned and hated for existing in a world not designed for them helps bring it all home.

The turtles were four years old when the Towers fell.

Splinter had heard snatches of running feet and yelling through the sewer grates, but assumed it was regular New York chaos. They were in the middle of a kata when something massive hit the ground above their heads with a bone-shaking rumble, sending dust spiraling down from the ceiling and killing the fragile lights system.

………

This one-shot, “Terror,”  is from my alphabet-themed anthology series, TMNT ABC. It’s actually a lot more Gen than some the other stories in the series, so be careful if you want to read more.

If you like this story and have cash to spare, please considering donating to:

One of these highly rated charities supporting 9/11 survivors

One of these highly rated charities for the crisis in Afghanistan, which stems at least partly from the United States’ reactive military behavior after this horrible event

One of these highly rated charities for veterans, many of whom were swept up in America’s post-9/11 wars

Or a well-rated charity for one of the groups affected by American paranoia following the attack, like:

Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation

The Sikh Coalition (not Muslim, but endured a similar experience as a result of hate surrounding the event)

Inner-City Muslim Action Network

Muslim Advocates 

Indian Muslim Relief and Charities

Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America Inc.

If you want to educate yourself further about life after the attack, try Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age Story by Amani Al-Khatahtbeh.

Please stay safe out there!

[brightlotusmoon]

The Ninja Turtles have all the genders. I do not take constructive criticism.

[brightlotusmoon]

Panels from IDW TMNT 119.

Michelangelo, given a chance, can rally a whole town for a social justice cause, and that's who he is more than his comedic portrayals.

This whole issue is incredibly important, a tribute to the franchise beginning, I feel. They have always been warriors. This generation is about social justice rather than family blood feuds. The Ninja Turtles have always represented marginalized minorities being given a chance to rise up.

[brightlotusmoon]

Dear TMNT Fandom,

I am a panromantic demisexual demigirl in my forties who 1) didn't even know those terms until recently, calling myself a bisexual who didn't want casual sex for a decade, and 2) found some memories from the late 90s of conversations with folks with ties to Mirage Studios, and I need to say this:

I cannot believe we as a fandom have to explain that the Ninja Turtles, fantasy creatures, can be headcanoned as Asexual not just because it is a real thing and not weird like some are saying, but because specifically the original Mirage Turtles were asexual, not attracted to humans, and as the series went on and they grew up, more concerned with their own unique bond as the only members of their kind over romantic relationships.

For example: Mike's fling with the Styracodon princess Seri was a manipulation, and Future Leonardo being with Raven Shadowheart was a choice. They're still asexual, even maybe gray or demi. We never got to know if Seri's eggs were Mikey's but we know he didn't have feelings for her.

In all the cartoon versions, we see various relationships happen which reflect some of the era and audience. Great example is 2012.

Actually, since Peter hated romance and Kevin was the one to sign off on the Next Mutation which was the straw that broke the camel's back for their split, we know Kevin is supportive of a lot of headcanons, even the actually weird ones, and thanks to my brain suddenly yelping "holy shell I remember that" I know how a lot of TMNT franchise crew members support inclusive headcanons even if they might not be canon. So someone saying "why are fan writers and artists making the turtles ace [or trans or NB], I think it's so weird" is absolutely one of the more bizarre things to come from the fandom. Because... they're turtles. They're mutants. Hell, to get super technical they're essentially genetically aliens, since the mutagen was created by aliens and fused with their DNA. They have more turtle in them than human. They're not human, the actual entire point of the characters, so the other entire point is how they learn to become psychologically and socially human, which rules to follow, which morals to have that don't need to be human. Thus, it extends to fans who create Alternate Universes and Canon Divergent worlds. And asexuality, the ace spectrum, is a real world thing that has always existed even if we didn't always know the words. To try to insist that these not-real fantasy creatures - ones that don't exist, have no bearing on real life except our imaginations, and should't be so restricted - cannot represent orientations and identities for fans who share with fans is, at the very least, disingenuous, controlling, upsetting, and exasperating.

I didn't spend nearly thirty years fighting oppression as both LGBTQIA and disabled to see my my favorite fandom pushed against by aphobia, transphobia, and bullying in general.

Although, really, I am a fool, I should have seen all this. I know Tumblr is completely different than other platforms, completely different from my Olde Fann favorites like Livejournal and the old Geocities forums, and online social communities are now faster than, say, my ADHD thoughts in a hyperfocus, but I still want to be Old Man Yells At Cloud and Get Off My Lawn You Kids when it comes to this very specific fandom thing and I totally see how weird that is on its face. I've been studying neuropsychology a lot, I usually notice my own weirds and faults more than usual.

Anyway. Aaanyway. Uh. So. *exhales*

Haa, panic attacks are the worst, aren't they? Also, I gotta stop believing the depression and anxiety monsters in my head, they take up too much real estate and I'm tired and getting too old for this weird AAAAAA-ness.

(One of my inner voices is like, "Woman, you are talking about ninja mutant turtle creatures that were created as a parody of gritty superheroes, who are you calling weird and AAAA?" and all I can do is shrug with a "you got me smile" and a long sigh. But I try, oh my god do I try, all the time, in this institution - *pause to break into song I said hey hey hey* - and I keep learning from my fictional sunshine child as I go so I can keep up with all the So Which Of My Identities Is Being Threatened In Society This Time discourse and especially the memes. All the memes.

I am a cautious optimist, after all. Nihilistic Optimist maybe? All I know is my entire life is multiple piles of junk cluttering a small room and everything is shiny even when it's hidden in shadows. Just smile until it feels better.

[brightlotusmoon]

[#i am almost 30 #i have grown up on the fanfic of women older and smarter than me #and now it is my turn to take my place traumatizing The Youth #i will not rest until i make some teenager have a life-changing realization about her sexuality in her dorm room]

-

Thank you for your tags and your willingness to traumatize the youth properly. I remember being there for the very first queer fanfics in my main fandom, in the late 90s. And it only grew from there and it absolutely helped me grow into my neurodivergent queerness.

Apparently, fanfic writers over forty are a surprise over on AO3, according to a comment by someone in their 20s. I'm surprised people are surprised. This is what happens when young writers grow up into adult writers, by the way. We still enjoy the franchises we've grown up with, and it's odd how surprising that seems.

[brightlotusmoon]

Remember: anyone seeking to tear you down already has to be beneath you.

Me, throwing my decades old queer autistic ADHD Ninja Turtles content at Tumblr and hoping something sticks: Okay but what if I'm really really annoying and just need to shut the fuck up because I talk too much, you know, like that one anti told me after praising my writing after accusing me of enjoying taboo darkfic thus being complicit in moral crimes and then saying it was her job to purge people like me from fandom-

A younger fan, sincerely: OMG hi I love everything you post on TMNT I'm so honored you reblogged me or replied to me, you're an amazing fandom resource, thank you for all the incredible content on your blog, we love you.

Me, literally actually blushing:

[brightlotusmoon]

Anyway.

I love these characters. They really did get me through three decades of coping mechanisms.

Panels from IDW TMNT 119.

Michelangelo, given a chance, can rally a whole town for a social justice cause, and that's who he is more than his comedic portrayals.

This whole issue is incredibly important, a tribute to the franchise beginning, I feel. They have always been warriors. This generation is about social justice rather than family blood feuds. The Ninja Turtles have always represented marginalized minorities being given a chance to rise up.