[danvers]

welcome to the 4th
LGBTQ COMMUNITY THREAD

This is 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 Orphan Black, 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.

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I feel that Felix ... I-I just don't know when, as a society, in television and film it sort of only became okay to represent gay people in, like, the traditional sense. Where they have a great job and well-adjusted parents and maybe a surrogate, or adopted, child. Like, when was that the only way you could represent gay people?

-- Jordan Gavaris (Felix)

We speak to that community not like, "this is what a gay relationship is like", this is what any relationship is like. I think it makes it very normal and un-special in a way? It's really important to me.

-- Tatiana Maslany (the clones)

It's not an issue anymore and it shouldn't be, you know what I mean? It's all good. I think that's what makes people have a sigh of relief where it's not a huge deal. It's love, you know? As complex and great and wonderful and crazy as it is! That's the way I feel. I feel that from the fans, too, they're happy this level has been hit.

-- Evelyne Brochu (Delphine)

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Delphine, a conflicted straight girl, gives our thesis on sexuality in episode eight, when she says " ... as a scientist I know that sexuality is a spectrum, but social biases codify sexual attraction, contrary to the biological facts."

So, yes, the biological facts: People are definitely "born this way". That’s the nature side, whether it's genetic, or epigenetic, or whether womb chemistry plays a part. As each of our clones were carried by different surrogates, that could explain differences in sexuality. But who wants to run around blaming mothers and their hormone levels for the sexuality of their children? Haven’t we had enough of that, since, like, forever? Maybe it was the lipstick in Daddy's glove box? Or Great Uncle Arthur's? Okay, then how about the nurture side of things?

Cosima grew up in the Bay Area, in a permissive community and a progressive home fostering intellectual and social tolerance. She learned to approach sexuality without shame, with curiosity. I think Cosima's been "bisexual" (if you had to codify it), but maybe she's ready to self-identify as gay. She would defend her freedom to choose, no matter where nature placed her in the spectrum. And Delphine too makes a choice to follow her heart for an individual, even though she’s always been "straight." Awwwww ... isn't that sweet, shippers? So, sexuality is a spectrum of many factors, and even though we’re a show about clones, we celebrate individuality and the crazy contingencies of nature. And just to keep it all in perspective (season-two spoiler!), Cosima will remind us at some point next year: "My sexuality is not the most interesting thing about me." Okay? There, jeez, keep it in your pants (or your lab coat)!

-- Graeme Manson (showrunner)

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[In five years] I see more representations of queer culture. There's so many films that speak about it in beautiful, personal way and make it universal because ultimately it's about humanity. I hope that becomes a given. We'll watch a film with a lesbian character as the lead and that won't become the defining characteristic.

-- Tatiana Maslany (the clones)

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previous threads;

#01 - "Even though we're a show about clones, we celebrate individuality."
#2 - "We speak to that community not like, 'this is what a gay relationship is like', this is what any relationship is like" - TM
#3 - "I'm not going to apologize for my heart, ok?"

[danvers]

just... figured it was appropriate, with the OB premiere date being released and the carmilla christmas special coming up

[ReiKolla]

Originally Posted by 324B21 (View Post) just... figured it was appropriate, with the OB premiere date being released and the carmilla christmas special coming up

Thanks for the new thread. The title is hilarious.

[Less Than Perfect]

Nice title choice Manu. Thanks for opening.

[majesdane]

Originally Posted by 324B21 (View Post) just... figured it was appropriate, with the OB premiere date being released and the carmilla christmas special coming up

Very appropriate!

Tftnt!

[Scully_fan]

Shaking and crying.

The Legend of Korra ended with Korrasami basically becoming canon and endgame. I mean this is a primarily a kids cartoon on nick, so they couldn't blatantly force it with maintext, but the whole framing of the thing is very much intentionally romantic. These are literally the last few seconds of the entire series, and I am freaking out.





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I mean ok they didn't kiss, but anyone who knows anything about lesbian representation in the world of fiction, knows exactly what the symbolism of hands means between two women when there is a purposeful focus on them. Then they have their eyes on each other the entire time with all the spirit world light literally making them glow, with beautiful music in the background - the final few notes of which are very much reminiscent of a score from A:TLA called..... the avatar's love..... need I say more?

Never in my life did I think they would have the guts to throw aside the main m/f pairing that dominated the first two seasons (well not throw, they resolved them sensibly and in a platonic fashion, which, le gasp, actually works so well for both characters) in favour of a f/f ending, but it made so much sense in the end. In fact it was the only thing that did make sense really, but I still didn't dare to believe it would actually happen, yet here it is. I could not be happier! Christmas certainly just got a whole lot gayer for me!

[majesdane]

I saw a bunch of gifsets on Tumblr last evening after it aired. Never watched the show, but it does have a distinctly romantic vibe. (Has anyone asked the creators about it??)

[Scully_fan]

I don't think the creators have said anything since the finale dropped. I am waiting to hear from them too! I do know however that a few weeks ago Janet Varney and Seychelle Gabriel (who voice Korra and Asami respectively) were called in to do last minute voice work and that had the entire fandom speculating on a Korrasami orientated ending... and here we are. There's also (according to someone on lchat) this. Not to mention the hoohah with Nickolodeon who originally decided they weren't going to air book 4 on tv at all, but now they've said they will.

It sort of screams to me that the creators wanted to go with Korrasami, but were unsure, uncertain of Nick's approval, but then decided late on to just go with it since this is the final episode of not just LoK but Avatar as a whole franchise and they wrote in what they could and made it as romantic as they could. But really this season, ever since it started, has built up to them becoming canon (arguably S3 as well). It's been subtle, but absolutely there.

[everlanded]

All the schedule changes and budget cuts have made it clear Bryke has little power at Nick, so I can't even be mad at them for not going all the way. I absolutely loved what we got. We've come so far since S1.

[Scully_fan]

Originally Posted by everlanded (View Post) All the schedule changes and budget cuts have made it clear Bryke has little power at Nick, so I can't even be mad at them for not going all the way. I absolutely loved what we got. We've come so far since S1.

I'm always going to be pissed that Nick cut the budget. I'm still annoyed they had to waste an episode on a clip show because of it, but now knowing the end, I'm so glad that Byrke didn't sell out and that they went for the ending they wanted, even if it meant sacrificing air time and money to do it.

I'm still so stunned however. I so thought it would be Korra alone and I would have been totally ok with that. I was prepared for that. I was even prepared for some convoluted Makorra ending if push came to shove despite believing that Korra and Asami were the only real (within the terms of the development over the last 2 seasons) natural option of an endgame romance, and as such I hadn't prepared myself at all for Korra and Asami actually facing a future together.

It's wonderful and unexpected - but not unexpected when looking at their development in the show - unexpected in that I can't believe they went there.

Basically I have a feeling I'm going to be walking around in disbelief for a few days, but it's a good disbelief, a very good one.

[Simon Spier]

Good for Nick

Don’t be afraid of being gay, One Direction tell fans as Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan reveal their man crushes

One Direction have rallied around their young gay fans by telling them: ‘Don’t be afraid to be the person that you are.’ They sounded their support to help those struggling to come to terms with their sexuality and come out, as they revealed their own ‘man crushes’ to the London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard. ‘Just be yourself. If that’s who you are, that’s who you are and don’t be afraid to be the person that you are,’ said Zayn Malik, 21. He admitted he can appreciate a fine-looking man when he sees one. ‘I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a crush on him, but I really appreciate Jake Gyllenhaal’s acting. I’ve seen him in a film called Prisoners. He’s so sick,’ said Malik. Bandmates Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan also admitted they can appreciate it when they see a hot guy. ‘David Beckham is just a cool, cool guy but I saw Russell Brand on Jonathan Ross and he just speaks so incredibly. I look up to him, he’s cool,’ said Tomlinson, 22. ‘Johnny Depp is pretty sick and he’s a really nice fella too,’ added 21-year-old Horan. One Direction's Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson reveal their man crushes: 'Don’t be afraid of being gay' | Metro News

[majesdane]

That's cool that you guys got an ending like that! It's not perfect, but it's a start. At least it's SOMETHING.

So we get a Carmilla Christmas special! And Natasha and Elise did an interview for AfterEllen!

AE: So after 36 episodes, Carmilla and Laura finally kiss. What has fan reaction been like for the two of you since then? Natasha: Well, it’s nice feeling to have given the fans what they wanted. I think they were all satisfied with season finale and I think after trolling them for so long it was nice to finally give them that and all of the reactions were more than positive. Elise: I think it was hilarious because I was expecting the fans to be out of control but I didn’t expect how much they were going to react to it. I was on my Twitter account reading some of the comments, then I would see 100 more tweets from people, it was crazy. So to say that fans were “happy” with the last episode is an understatement, I think. AE: Congrats on season 2! At this point we know that there’s a massive evil lingering under Silas that needs to be dealt with. But — do you think we’ll see some relationship stuff happen with Carmilla and Laura? Natasha & Elise (in unison): We hope so! Natasha: We discussed that we are a couple now, but Carmilla is still old fashioned so they’re struggling with the weirdness of not having the opportunity to be alone yet. And I think she really loves Laura and she’s taking her time with her. She’s being a lady! Definitely. Elise Bauman and Natasha Negovanlis of "Carmilla" talk fandom and hopes for Season 2 - AfterEllen

[Nataliza]

Originally Posted by mccullers (View Post) So we get a Carmilla Christmas special! And Natasha and Elise did an interview for AfterEllen!

Everything about it is great and especially Carmilla's sweater. God I was looking for this sweater for almost an hour

Also Natasha's answer about taking time with Laura is really sweat but I think this whole oldfashion way applies only to Laura and Carmilla definitely did have some fun through her long life

[Scully_fan]

Originally Posted by mccullers (View Post) That's cool that you guys got an ending like that! It's not perfect, but it's a start. At least it's SOMETHING.

Considering just about 99% of the Korrasami fans were expecting little to nothing, I'd say it was more than something. Probably why tumblr went nuts.

So we get a Carmilla Christmas special! And Natasha and Elise did an interview for AfterEllen! http://cdn2-www.afterellen.com/asset...CREEN00061.png

Carmilla's jumper is just classic

[Less Than Perfect]

Is this Carmilla Christmas Special airing on Christmas? Or should I just wait until my tumblr dash is filled with Carmilla stuff before I go looking for it?

Carmilla in that jumper is perfect.