[five items]

welcome to the 3rd
LGBTQ COMMUNITY THREAD


a

This is a community thread created in the same vein as the PLL Board's international embassies threads; it's a place for LGTBQ fans and allies to talk about their experiences in real life and how the show portrays the community. This includes discussion about any of the LGBTQ storylines, couples, and characters on PLL, as well as any LGBTQ/allies persons of the cast and crew -- but please remember that opinions will differ on certain subjects and keep try to keep it polite. Expressing dislike of a character or frustration at a storyline is acceptable, but full-on bashing is not.

This thread is considered a SAFE SPACE. Derogatory remarks about a character/member's sexual orientation is not allowed and will not be tolerated. If you have a question about something, feel free to ask, but please be respectful.

• • •

“I am thankful every day that role that came to me was Emily Fields. She's a wonderful character, and I love playing her — but she's also an important character. Things are changing. The world is finally understanding that love between two people, no matter their gender, is just love. And Emily is a part of that. She's a sweet character, a fun character, and she's a character who has found empowerment through embracing the fact that she's a girl who likes girls. I am so proud to play her. It's like the universe worked its magic and brought her to me.” -- Shay Mitchell (Emily)

“I'm so proud of [Emily]. I am so glad that we have a chance to bring this character and her storyline to life. And I know that Shay Mitchell and Nia Peeples, who plays Emily's mom, and even Peter Roth, the head of Warner Brothers television, has taken a personal interest in this storyline. And we're all honored and proud to be able to bring it to life. And hopefully, it helps other people know that they're not alone.” -- Marlene King (Producer/Writer/Director)

“When I took the role of Maya, I was just excited to be on this show. It's such a fun show. And I like Maya. It never occurred to me to think, 'Oh, she's a gay character.' But I am so happy now to be playing her, to be a part of that larger conversation.” -- Bianca Lawson (Maya)

“Playing a lesbian character is obviously relevant right now. There are so many equality issues and issues with gay teens being bullied, and I feel like the media has always been a leader in helping shape people's attitudes. You know, it lends a little understanding. It makes people less fearful. And being given the opportunity to play a lesbian character, I really took it seriously.” -- Lindsey Shaw (Paige)

“The way I see it, your sexual identity shouldn't define who you are. And I didn't even think about it when I read her character. I thought it was exciting and it was new, and I was so happy to put it out there — especially on ABC Family. I thought, you know, maybe teens who are watching this with their families will have an easier time bringing up their own sexuality.” -- Shay Mitchell (Emily)

“I just dove right in because I never look at her like 'she's a lesbian character'. She's a person and this is what she's gone through and these are her characteristics. This is the person that I love; not this is the girl that I love. This is the human being that I love and this is why I love her — I feel connected with her. So that's how I approached it.” -- Bianca Lawson (Maya)

“The writers kept giving me these big, beautiful scenes, like when Paige came out to Emily. And that's when it hit me how special she is. The way I prepared for it was for the fans, I wanted to be true to what that experience is like for people who are actually going through it. More than once, Paige has moved me to tears. I have so much compassion for her, and for her courage. We can say, you know, It Gets Better, and then we can see that it actually has gotten better for Paige.” -- Lindsey Shaw (Paige)

“I'm actually happy to say gay women and gay men love this show. And I hope it is a special experience for gay women, to be able to watch these characters who are beautiful inside and out, relating to each other in such an accepting way. We all want that unconditional love by our friends and our family. And that's what we’re creating here. Hopefully it becomes a role model for other people.” -- Marlene King (Producer/Writer/Director)

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previous threads;

#01 - Because we're looking to ride down Main Street on a rainbow chopper.
#02 - "I'm actually happy to say gay women AND gay men love this show." ~ Marlene King

[five items]

I'm with you. I can't imagine it not working out, but there's always that slim chance that ****. The world's gonna end. And America...****ing AMERICA. SPAIN, a very Catholic country, legalized same-sex marriage in 2005. And in America, where the First Amendment is Freedom of Religion, people could lose EVERYTHING.

Ugh, ****ing America. I can't, I just can't. Seriously, this country ****ing sucks.

A lesbian coworker and I were talking about it today at work. We were just like, 'How the **** could anyone actually buy off on the "arguments" against same sex marriage?!' I just don't get it. I really don't.

[murphyboy11]

Tftnt!

Pink drink foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Kiss of Death]

TFTNT! Great title. LOVE the OP. We're just missing a guy or two. *sighs*

And ate my post, so I'll just use this to say what I was going to say:

[NJHForeverandAlways]

I saw this thing, pretty sure from Fox News (ew) that if we legalize gay marriage it will "criminalize Christianity." um... I think Fox News missed the entire point. What idiots. There's a thing called separation of Church and State, here.

ETA: I also saw that a tweet that said "I promise that gays getting married will not affect your relationship. If it does, you're doing it wrong." or something to that effect. So true. It has absolutely no effect on a straight relationship. It's like those people that think all of us are predatory gays trying to turn people. I promise you, we are not (esp. if you're a homophobic *****).

[Kiss of Death]

****ing Fox, man. I can't even with them.

I don't understand why this concept of Separation of Church and State and FREEDOM OF RELIGION is so difficult for people. This does NOT mean anyone is attacking religion. All it means is that your ****ing religion is ATTACKING human rights.

America is NOT based on CHRISTIAN religious beliefs. You're misinterpreting the Founding Fathers and the Constitution if you think that's what's going on.

[NJHForeverandAlways]

And honestly, the way the vote turns out is going to hang on probably one, MAYBE two swing votes. I think if you're old to the point where you shouldn't be driving, then you shouldn't be on the SC.

It sucks that we won't know the official decision until June, either. It's going to be a long wait full of paranoia and dealing with conservative nutjobs.

[five items]

The sad part is that Bill O'Reilly actually came out and said that he supports gay marriage, because the pro-gay marriage lawyers brought a ~solid case~ to the supreme court. And that's just ... I mean, when even freaking BILL O'REILLY is coming out to support gay rights, you know that Conservatives are wrong as hell.

[murphyboy11]

Ugh people make me sick sometimes. I always say if the person isn't hurting themselves or anyone else and is happy then who cares!

[five items]

Originally Posted by murphyboy11 (View Post) Ugh people make me sick sometimes. I always say if the person isn't hurting themselves or anyone else and is happy then who cares!

People are just douchebags.

[Kiss of Death]

HOLD THE FRONT DOOR! Bill is NOT OPPOSED?

[NJHForeverandAlways]

Bill. O'Reilly. is. for. gay. marriage. ?????
HOLD THE PHONE.

WOah. Never thought I'd see the day. Let's hope that his stance now sticks.

Also, bless Justice Kagan for giving that swift kick in the pants by laying down the law of menopause. So true, honestly.

[Kiss of Death]

So, like, we have to wait for PLL back and a ruling in JUNE?! *sighs* Hopefully that's a great sign. Cause you know, PLL is like the lesbian show.

[murphyboy11]

Never in my entire life have I ever related to anything more then this.

[NJHForeverandAlways]

Do you all label yourselves? I've been thinking about it a lot lately, and as much as I don't necessarily like labels, I wish I could at least identify with a particular group... I kind of feel lost, and it's been weighing on me. Labels are the greatest thing when the come from other people, and I don't think if I had one that it would be definitive, but if I could just kind of find what group I identify with, then that would at least help my conscience.