So I've been wanting to make a thread on this subject for a while: A safe space to discuss general LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Queer, Inter-sex, and Asexual) topics regarding Ever After High headcanons, ships, and our OCs!
Now I know that, depending on your knowledge, this may seem like a broad topic. To help produce discussing, have some semi-specific, nifty bullet points to help generat some conversational goodness:
- So, which characters do you headcanon as a specific sexual/romantic orientation (or lack there of, because ace/aromantic)?
- Any particular same-gender ships you support for whatever reason? Or with no logical reason? I mean people ship straight ships for no reason other than being "cute" all the time, so there shouldn't be any shame.
- What about canon characters and transgender headcanons? Is there anyone you headcanon as non-binary?
- Because not all ships have to be between two people, are there any 3+ canon characters you ship in the polyamourous sense?
- Not all strong emotional bonds are neccesarily romantic. What about headcanons involving canon characters in a queerplatonic relationship? To learn more about what this means, click here for an FAQ on the subject!
On the topic of OCs:
- If you have EAH OCs that aren't straight/cis/non-romantic, does their gender, sexuality, and/or (lack of) romantic interests affect how they view their story and parent's legacy? Or is it not a big deal at all?
- Are they in the closet, so to speak, or is their sexuality/gender out in the open? Or perhaps, do they trust specific people with this information, and who?
- Are their parent(s) in on it, or are they kept clueless? Are they/would they be supportive with this knowledge? Heck, is their parent(s) somewhere within the quiltbag spectrum (hey, you never know)?
- Are their any ships you have for your queer character(s), or are there possibly any that you're considering? Are they mutual or one-sided? Romantic or queerplatonic?
- Sexual orientation/attraction isn't exclusively the same as romantic orientation/attraction. Are there any OCs of yours whose sexual orientation differs from their romantic orientation?
- Regardless of your OC's gender and sexuality (whether or not they fit any letters in the quiltbag acronym), what are your OCs' stances on LGBTQIA+ related subjects? Supportive? Appathetic? If cis and/or straight, is your OC an ally?
A note on the last bullet point above: Keep in mind that the opinion an OC has on this subject may differ from the poster's opinion, whether or not an OC is narrow-minded. That being said, be mindful of those who could be triggered and please, no homophobic/transphobic/acephobic slurs.
(Though on the subject of "queer": it can and certainly has been a slur depending on the context, but in this case of a certain abbreviation, it can also be used as a reclaimed, catch-all term for quiltbag, lgbt+, and other terms/acronyms. If you're unsure how to use it, it's probably for the best that you don't.)
And last but not least, a little something that pertains to both:
- Are their any particular tropes, literary devices, and stereotypes regarding the LGBTGIA+ community that you want to discuss, would rather not perpetuate, are wanting to avoid, or want to subvert/play with regarding headcanons/ships/OCs? Any headcanons that bother you when it comes to the more harmful stereotypes that crop up in mainstream media?
Also, feel free to come up with more on-topic questions, ask for fic/OC help as long as it fits with the tiopic, and anything that can relate to the subjects at hand
Since this can be a touchy subject, I'm urging folks to be respectful of each other throughout the conversation. There may be some terms mentioned that you or others might not be familliar with, and in that case we are here to help educate (as long folks are open-minded and we are quick to correct our mistakes and blunders). Try not to stray too far off topic, and if things get out of hand then I will close the thread indefinitely.
