Thank you, High Low Brow

All good things must come to an end, or come back for another amazing season 

High Low Brow, you have genuinely been the best friend we all needed. You could say that through our truly Unibrows (aka co-hosts Ama and Ameema), we could navigate some often hard conversations and laugh about all in a safe place usually plagued by white middle-class men. I don't know about you, but High Low Brow often felt like that older sibling who makes you question your beliefs in the best way possible, and I know that I am biased — I write for their dang blog. But honestly, I don't know how we will say goodbye to the bi-weekly banter or laughs that have felt like a warm hug month after month. And although I know we will be back for another highly anticipated season, I thought it would be fitting to pay homage to the love and community that y'all have created for each and every single one of your High Low Brow fans.

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Throughout writing for this podcast, I have learned to be unapologetically myself. Whether this is through writing about topics, I am passionate about or even just listening to the podcast and becoming inspired by the sheer humility displayed by everyone on the show. I remember at some point during this season, and I had a small revelation. I was sitting in my room, listening to the latest episode and thinking, "Oh my god, wait — there are other people out here that think like this too? Just like me?!" There is no greater pleasure than seeing, hearing, and knowing you won't feel judged. Although I personally never added anything to the episodes, I still felt deeply connected and a part of each and every single episode. And that's what matters.

Every week was something new, and I would get excited to look into a brand new topic to write about. The diversity of the topics covered all basses as well. Never to be reiterated or overdone. From parasocial relationships to queer wrestlers — the show had it all, and now I can't shut up about it! Although there were some topics I had never heard about, they were never a point of disinterest. And they were never just pop culture but real-world issues and how/why you should care. Although I have found that I quote TikTok way more than usual, I'm convinced there's a correlation.

High Low Brow, thank you for the smiles at 3am, the spurts of laughter that hurt my tummy or leaving me with the feeling that I could take over the world. This experience has not only made me feel a part of something special but has given me this absolute boost of confidence I didn't necessarily carry with me before. On behalf of past and present, Olivia wanted to say how much we will miss this while the summer months are slowly drifting away, but we are so excited to be back come fall, just in time for Christian girl autumn.

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The most notable forms of Copaganda in media in the last decade

if you’re starting to feel bad for the police, it’s working

If you don't know what Copaganda is, then phew — this week's episode and blog are for you. Let's start off with some of the basics, shall we? Copaganda typically encompasses many things, but according to Refinery 29, it's the phenomenon that takes fictional characters in media (TV and film, as examples) and attempts to create positive depictions of police officers. How is this done? A variety of ways actually: heartfelt social media posts made by police departments, journalists not challenging police and acting as PR for them, kids programming, or community gathers where cops have started to create the notion that we would be helpless without them. The reality is these instances are just the tip of the iceberg. Copaganda that uncritically advances a police department's image continues to grow in popularity. However, we've seen online and in the news high-ranking uniformed officers kettling crowds, beating protestors, and racially profiling individuals across North America and beyond. So how do we combat this? By recognizing Copaganda for what it is and calling it out. 

From media to TV to TikTok —here are some of the most flagrant forms of copaganda in the last decade and why they suck.

"Live for Now Moments Anthem" - 2017 short film commercial for Pepsi featuring Kendall Jenner

This super memorable commercial (for, uh, not-so-great reasons) was one most significant WTF moments of 2017. At the height of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, Pepsi decided to commission reality TV star and model Kendall Jenner to create what might be one of the worst marketing campaigns ever by making the most white saviour pieces of commercial garbage. Set to Bob Marley's song, "Skip," the ad features people protesting in an undisclosed city, holding signs, chanting only to be barricaded by law enforcement. But fear not! Miss Kenny has arrived amidst all chaos and is here to solve everything! She walks up to the officer standing at the front of the barricade and hands him a chilled Pepsi as protestors look on. A quick smile embeds itself onto the officer's face with one crack of a can and a large swig of that refreshing drink; the protest turns into a party. And just like that, world peace was found. Not too long after the commercials started to air, many began to boycott Pepsi products, and Kendall was met with severe backlash on all platforms via social media. They felt the commercial was insensitive and argued that Kendall had never been oppressed in her life. I mean, where's the lie? Jenner eventually released a statement sharing, "Obviously, if I knew that this was going to be the outcome, I would have never done something like this, " #FACEPALM  Can someone ask Kendall to turn on the news or, better yet, read the room? 

Pepsi there to save the day delivered via Kendall Jenner/ Circa Pepsi 2017

The Elephant in the Room: Brooklyn Nine-Nine As Copaganda

The best forms of copaganda are the ones that don't inherently feel like copaganda. The comedy series starring Andy Sandburg follows the "day-to-day" life of police in New York City, solving crime and running into funny yet unrealistic scenarios. It has been said that Brooklyn 99 was made to cater to individuals who loved watching The Office and it shows. The series created characters you became invested in and even humanized to a degree (hello, who didn't love Doug Judy, played by actor Craig Robinson terrorizing Detective Jake Peralta aka Andy Sandburg?). But that's copaganda! These characters humanize the profession to the point of forgetting the bigger picture. The use of a diverse cast and sometimes emotional storyline is what makes people love the show, but the concept is where things get lost in translation. The way their law enforcement is portrayed is not known to contribute to brute force, a corrupt system, or a systemically racist past and present but helpful and critical societal member. Yes, comedies are meant to be light-hearted, but how light-hearted can you get when you blatantly ignore the issue? 

The fictional police bureau of Brooklyn 99/ via Fox

Zootopia

OK, I know what you're thinking: how can this touching Disney film fall into the copaganda trope? Well, let's break it down. The movie follows Judy Hopps, a hopeful bunny whose only mission in life is to make a difference in the world by becoming a helpful police officer in Zootopia. Have your ears perked up yet? Yep, they should have. Because it just goes downhill from here. Judy meets Nick Wild, a fox who not only doesn't like law enforcement but regularly dances around the law. While they tackle the topic of predator vs. prey within the film (as a form of addressing racism in their world), many of the predators in their animal kingdom are supposed to represent people of colour, with prey representing white people. Are you still with me here? OK good! One of Judy's main cops on the force is using police violence. When Judy tries to investigate this and share the information with their boss, the animals being hurt continue to "mysteriously disappeared." Judy enlists the help of Nick, and together they solve the case; changing her partner is crime fighting Nick's perception of law enforcement. Have your eyes rolled far enough into the back of your head yet? Because you and I both know that IRL, someone would forget about all the prejudices in the world and just sing kumbaya around a fire, right? Fucking hell, Disney.

Officer Judy Hopps (left) and “con artist” Nick Wild (right)/ via Disney

CSI

When you think of police tv shows, you think of CSI. It was one of the very first TV shows of the 2000s about law enforcement and was glamorized to varying degrees. Let's all pour one out for David Caruso, Horatio Caine's sunglasses, and CSI: Miami cold opens. RIP to a legend!

The officers in CSI are often held at hero status for their use of evidence which always helps them solve the case. Their use of such an intense plot line creates the show's depth and explains why the drama became as successful as it is today. Who else remembers staying home from school and watching the episodes on A&E all day?

However, the show had a HUGE white saviour complex. There were some questionable scenes when they were tasked with investigating crimes in low-income areas or a POC who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The show, however, ensured that we always rooted for them no matter what - satisfying their white viewership.

The OG CSI crew/ via CBS

The cops of TikTok

TikTok has an abundance of police officers on their platform, whether that be them filming a day in their life or complaining about something they did. People can use social media to reach out to others and educate them on things they may have been ignorant of before, but police officers are their notable exception. Suppose you were to look under #copagana. You will see hundreds, if not thousands, of duets created by people responding to police officers who claim how demanding the profession is in the year of Gen Z's overtaking—stating that everyone hates them and won't let them do their jobs just out of the hate they receive in real life and on social media. [examples will be inserted] I want to preface, do I think that all police officers are bad people? Not inherently no...but do I think when you work for a systemically racist profession, and you have yet to acknowledge the hurt that has transpired to the actions caused but your profession? Yes, I do think you're a bad person.

User hotterthanabbyshapiro describes the unrealistic storylines show creators use to make us idolize the police and how bad it really is/ TikTok

User left.fist explaining the victim complex created by law enforcement/ TikTok

The evolution of the meme

How the meme evolved and graced our internet presence

Before we take a deep dive into the evolution of the "meme," let's take a quick refresher into what classifies as a meme on the Internet. Best described by Urban Dictionary, a "Meme is a lifestyle and art used by teens and adults who are willing to live a life that doesn't include depression." But if you're looking for a more straightforward answer: it's just an internet joke. However, I feel that the first description provides a WAY better indication of the lifestyle that memes have cultivated for use on the Internet. 

But that begs the question, when did the first joke drop? And who kept the ball rolling? This question is wholly subjective, depending on who you ask. Like technically speaking, you can trace so many internet jokes to the very early ages of the Internet. I'm talking about Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede circulating through chain emails in '96 to that creepy baby dancing on Ally McBeal circa 1997. Yeah, remember that!?! Cursed!!! To make a long story short, memes have been around since the very beginning of the Internet. Although the term is relatively new, it has been gaining in popularity since the late 2010s, which oddly seems like such a long time ago, especially regarding the Internet. Now being such a large part of our online personas, I think it's best we look at where it all began and pay homage to the memes that came before us.

Chain Emails - 90s

Back when the Internet was used for its intended purpose of communication, there was a fair share of jokes sent to coworkers in offices and family members via chain or spam emails. It seemed harmless fun and something to do in their cubicles for bored office workers. Sometimes the email would be hopeful, like, "There are five weekends this month. This only happens every 823 years. Forward this to 15 friends for good luck," which sometimes was the pinnacle of office humour. But then there would be other more severe requests like a Nigerian Prince asking if I wanted to invite my friends to participate in a "foreign money exchange." The chain mail jokes carried on a bit into the early 00s but slowly died down when other means of communication were on the rise. 

Chain mail walked so memes could run/Via St. Edwards University

The First Social Platforms - The 00s

The absolute rush was to get home from an extended school day and go online to see if your friends were also active. The concept of sending memes over some of the first social media platforms (hello, ICQ, and AOL Messenger!) was not as commonly done as one would think. But that's not to say it didn't happen; when you think about the definition of memes as a whole. Come on, who here didn't have a nudge war with their bestie on MSN?! That was the funniest thing in the world at the time, and if you disagree, you clearly have much more elevated humour than I. This extends to platforms like MySpace, where you could customize your profile to fit your personality using glitter graphics and other Blingees. It quickly became a "thing" to include either favourite quotes or funny photos for others to get a feel for who you were, and it was such a power move to be in someone's top eight. There was A LOT of pressure to choose the right meme to describe who you were as a person, and honestly, if you didn't choose wisely, you would hear about it. LOL

Kim Kardashian’s Myspace circa 2006

MSN

AOL messenger

The shift from Facebook to Instagram - the 10s 

There was a point when Facebook had a chokehold on every young teen across the world. This was also the peak of meme sharing in the 2010s. Posting photos on your timeline was super easy, and hundreds of memes were shared daily. Some are more popular than others - but peak internet humour if this era was the troll face and minion-based content. Which, at the time, made everyone smile. Within the same few years, Instagram slowly started gaining traction, which I think booted Facebook slightly down in sharing internet humour. Instagram being a platform that's exclusively for photo sharing, Facebook became a life-sharing platform. Instagram stole millennials and Gen Z users, while Facebook took custody of the Baby Boomers and Gen Xs. This is why the memes of Instagram evolved, and those on Facebook did not. Sorry xo.

The minion memes began to over take everyones timeline/Via Facebook

The troll faces that slowly began surfacing circa 2008/Via Facebook

The most common format of instagram memes was text on top, a correlating photo right below/ Via Instagram

GIFs - the 10s

It would be a sin not to discuss the rise of GIFs in the world of meme culture. This, in my opinion, bridges the gap between photo and video. Memes had only ever been (until this point) a picture with a funny caption slapped on, and the acronym can only convey so much to the person sitting opposite on their screen. It was as if someone said, "there's a better way to send my reaction towards this funny joke" - thus, the reaction GIF was born. Tumblr was abundant with GIFs and soon became one of the most popular forms of meme sharing. Also, it's pronounced GIF, with a hard "G," not JIFF like the peanut butter. I will take no further questions on this.

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via GIPHY

The Reaction Photo - the 20s

The reaction photo is my favourite meme form! It is the one and only meme form that has stuck around the longest. Sure, memes have always been funny with words. But the reaction photo? It can be whatever you want it to be! Because the reaction can be taken in many different ways and applied to many different scenarios. Kinda genius if you ask me! Feeling weird and awkward to a friend? Don't know how to react? Send a photo of Kris Jenner tossing up a peace sign! Don't get me wrong, you'll probably confuse them, but that is what makes reaction memes so great! It doesn't have to make sense for it to be funny necessarily! Also, if the people in your life don't get the memes you are sending to them, maybe it's time to get people who understand your meme humour! No shade, just sayin'. 

Via Twitter

Via Twitter

Via Twitter

Via Twitter

Via Twitter

RIP Vine, Hello TikTok - NOW 

I still find myself quoting vines from 2014 on the daily. Is it because I'm in denial or because they're so damn good? I'm gonna say because they're classics. A joke consisting of 7 seconds was so short and sweet that it not only held on to my brief attention span, but they were so quotable that it made them as iconic as they were. This was even translated to TikTok years later. Vine walked so TikTok could run. TikTok is the hotter cousin of the vine, has trumped every other social media platform, and officially holds the title of the most downloaded app globally. So like yeah… it's pretty popular. This indeed reinforced the idea that memes don't have to be just a still images or just a gif. And before someone says I've left out YouTube for meme/video sharing, I know that is where Charlie bit my finger lives, and all the Rick Rolling videos are, but influencers have been the rulers of that domain. And sharing 30-second videos became a more popular game than watching a staged 10-minute prank. 

A compilation of the most iconic vines to date/ Via Youtube

Popular creator Nurse John participating in the most recent TikTok trend/ Via TikTok

A recent post from Drag Race Star and internet icon Trixie Mattel/ Via TikTok

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Sorry, Mercury is in retrograde

Why astrology is the reason I don’t feel like a failure 

Any guesses on what is more manageable in life than telling everyone that you're having a hard time mentality? Mercury is in retrograde. No, seriously. With a show of hands, how many of us have used it as an excuse in our lives? As a person who loves astrology with my whole damn heart, I'm the type of person that tries to blame everyone around me BUT myself, when it comes is a slight adjustment in my mood, sleeping habits, dietary concerns, or, well... anything. Yes, it's true: I identify deeply with my very own Cancer rising, Leo sun, and Pisces moon. It's much easier to excuse away the fact that the reason why I cry every time I feel remotely stressed may have to do with the fact I was born on a Wednesday at 2:15 am, and no, I will not be answering any additional questions. Does the thought of stars deciding your fate make sense? No, not entirely. But do I think there is a slight possibility that there could be some higher purpose or meaning with astrology? Hell yeah, I do! With so many things in the universe that DON'T make sense, why does astrology have to be the one thing that can't?

The symbols that represent each zodiac sign/ Aries (Ram), Taurus (Bull), Gemini (Twins), Cancer (Crab), Leo (Lion), Virgo (Virgin), Libra (The Scale), Scorpio (Scorpion), Sagittarius (Archer), Capricorn (Goat), Aquarius (Water Bearer) and Pisces (Fish)

A guideline in the age of uncertainty

Discovering your identity is one of the most taxing processes one can go through in life. It can be super freaking hard figuring out your likes, dislikes, and core values when the world around us is trying (desperately) to influence you in every single way. But, do you know what isn't complicated? Being provided with a vaguely ambiguous set of rules with charts and forecasting the earthly and human events through observing and interpreting the fixed stars, the Sun, the Moon, and the planets. And listen, I know what you're probably thinking, "Olivia, this seems like some kind of pseudoscience. How is this supposed to be a good thing?" You know, technically, you're right. Astrology is a pseudoscience due to its lack of progress and refusal to deal with a large body of critical scientific studies. According to Scientific American, astrology is generally defined as the belief that astronomical phenomena, like the stars overhead when you were born or the fact that Mercury is in retrograde, can have the power to influence the daily events in our lives and personality traits. All of this is quite different from the study of astronomy, which is the scientific study of celestial objects, space, and the physics of the universe. 

Have you ever faced a dilemma in life - something small - and felt indecisive and needed direction, you know what has helped me? Horoscopes. You bet your bottom dollar that if my horoscope says it's best to stay in tonight with friends, then I'm staying in! You might think I'm crazy by following this logic, but people flip coins when it comes to even more significant decisions, so who really is the crazy one here? 

In all seriousness, I do not turn to my horoscope for all my decision-making needs. I'll be dammed if the stars tell me something I don't want to hear, but it is nice to have something to fall back on. They're also great ways to get out and try things you wouldn't normally expect from yourself. In 2016, one particular horoscope said it was a good day to pick up a musical hobby. That same day, I learned to play the ukulele - with ease, mind you. For years, I had zero interest in playing a tiny instrument. But now, I love that thing! I have no one but to thank for that other than my Cancer rising, Leo sun, and Pisces moon.

According to "stats," Pisces is the sign most likely to be a serial killer. Lol, who knew. I mean, I didn't! I just knew I could be pretty intense sometimes. But a serial killer - damn, that's harsh. You're not alone for those who don't believe in astrology science. In 2012, the General Social Survey found that 34 percent of Americans surveyed consider astrology to be "very" or "sort of scientific" and also reported a decrease—from two-thirds to around one-half—in the fraction of people who consider astrology "not at all scientific." Circle back to the most serial killers turn out to be Pisces comment— what you may see as a creepy coincidence; I see a scientific trend. Stick with me here! All of these individuals were born between Feb 19 - Mar 20; therefore, this pattern was not developed overnight. There must have been someone to actually conduct some sort of experiment to prove these theories. Astrology is founded on an understanding of the stars' positions, which seems like a scientific enough pursuit. I guess what I'm trying to say is the following: I believe astrology to be a well-thought-out set of patterns developed over time, shaping the critical characteristics of each zodiac. ~science~ Oh, and BTW, in case it was not clear enough: not all Pisces people are serial killers. I have a soft spot for them, actually. Water signs are my faves.

Getting to know yourself 

You can actually learn so much about yourself while reading about your signs. Everyone is born with a natural curiosity to learn more about themselves, and astrology gives us different specifics and different offerings that we can explore. Come on: how many of us have gone on Insta, seen a meme of our zodiac sign, and felt significantly called out. Even if these memes are not accurate, there is something about finding them and feeling represented or seen by them. 

We all know that each Zodiac sign has a few key characteristics that they typically tend to portray. If you want to find out what makes you -ahem- you, my suggestion would be to start with your 'big three': your sun, rising, and moon sign. A quick crash course about your Big Three! Your rising sign is how others perceive you, your moon is how you deal with emotion, and your sun is who you are inside. Now that we know that, what exactly does it all mean?

Your big three signs can help you determine critical things about yourself or even discover more things you may have overlooked! Maybe you're an Aries who doesn't understand why you may get so heated in a debate - when if you give your sign a quick look up, you discover Aries are a passionate breed who tend to crave a slight urgency. Or maybe you're a Virgo who can’t seem to explain your need for order when in reality, a Virgo spirals into chaos in an unorganized environment. The way I see it, astrology has an explanation for everything.

If you want to get a bit deeper, text your Mom and ask for what time and day you were worn born, and then head to Google dot com and type in, "What's my birth chart" to fill out all the information (date, time, location) you were born. Before you know it, you'll be provided with a whole chart and reading that indicates your character traits, behavioural tendencies, hidden desires, and the directions your life might take. It may be hard to believe that this document will outline who you are (inside out) but believe me: you'll be pleasantly surprised. These things are meant to make you, you! But they shouldn't rule your life.

It’s your life, live it how you want to live it

Before I come out entirely pro astrology, I want to say a few things! First, your zodiac sign does not exempt you from being a dick. Sounds harsh, I know, but when I said I want to blame myself for being a Leo for bad habits, this does not include bigotry, just not being a morning person. I hope that goes without saying. Second, you do not have to take astrology seriously. If your best friend does and you don't, that's okay! Astrology is supposed to be fun, so let's keep it cute and cheerful. Lastly, believe in what you want to think, but don't ruin someone else's good time. Being respectful is a trait that all signs should inhabit. 

Thank you for wearing an overpriced rainbow?

why wearing a rainbow doesn’t necessarily mean pride

It's June, and you know what that means - Pride Month! If you forgot, don't worry ⁠—I'm sure Old Navy or H&M will be dropping an exciting array of rainbow items with a caption like "you are an L-G-B-T-cutie." Just to preface before I continue, I love rainbows as much as the next person and love that brands may try to make an effort to provide more inclusivity. But at the end of the day, I have to ask who is this for and who the hell is approving these designs? I do want to get real for a sec. The capitalization of Pride Month is like that of a brand increasing its prices right before Christmas, but Santa Clause leaves after December. The reality is: that queer people exist all year long. They don’t go away after Pride, never to be seen again. Rather, when June ends, so does Corporate America’s enthusiasm for the LGBTQ+ community. So, when companies use Pride as an excuse to roll out a $70 shirt to kinship, the relationship of an ally, they truly are doing the opposite of not creating an accessible means for others. 

If you're going to make it expensive, make it cute?

I don't want to sound like I'm complaining about companies wanting to participate in Pride or something. It is indeed something to be celebrated! But why must brands continue to make and create some of the worst clothing collabs I've ever seen.

Of course, this isn't to say I haven't seen some cute clothing in June. But just because you’re slapping a rainbow or something glitter on it, doesn’t mean you get to use Pride as a marketing tool. From my personal perspective: I feel like companies don't understand the difference between an article of clothing that says 'gay' and an article of clothing that literally has the word, gay. It's aggravating - there is such a need for visibility within the LGBTQ+ community, but this message is almost lost in translation. Not everything with a rainbow means pride, and when companies slap a rainbow into just about anything portable, it begs the question...is pride a priority or an investment? It's expected for there to be merch - and honestly lovely to see, but when you place a hefty price tag on a pair of tights, the novelty kinda goes away.

There are better ways to be an ally

It feels disingenuous to put a rainbow on a pin and calls it a day. And for those who don't identify as queer but still want to show allyship, there's a weird blurred line that feels like member and poser. After all, pride is meant to celebrate members of the queer community - so how do you show your support without buying into the cooperation that essentially is only exploiting the rainbow, not celebrating it. If you feel it's in your best interest to want to participate in the fashion that follows in June, make it an effort to research your merch. Yes, you may love the price point that a particular retailer may offer, but many brands donate to LGBTQ+ organizations all year round - not just in June. @dfrntpigeon is an example of a clothing brand that actively advocates for marginalized youth, especially for LGBTQ+ homeless or fostered children. Many of their t-shirt concepts are designed by queer youth through programs they've created to provide a chance to display their creativity and even offer job opportunities through the release of their designs. Even better, their proceeds are funded directly back into the programs to continue to foster their creativity. Plus, their designs are actually wearable...thank god. 

dfrntpigeon displaying the absolute diversity of their designs/@dfrntpigeon

Your pin is just a pin.

Pride is so much more profound than a rainbow. Yes - the rainbow has been embedded into the heart of pride and will continue to symbolize the LGBTQ+ community forever. Unfortunately, in June, many attempts to adopt what they think the queer aesthetic to be when this has little to do with wearing a rainbow. It's okay to want to sport a rainbow to show your support, but it's essential to not be caught up in a corporation's tactic to make you think you need to be wearing something to feel a part of something bigger. Queer-coded fashion is less a shirt than a notion; It's a feeling. The queer movement was never about fitting in; it was about finding comfort in standing out. Being told the only way to fit in is to wear a fanny pack with rainbow glitter designed by a cis white man to 'look the part' at pride...you may need to revaluate where you're spending your money. When you consume yourself in the thought of wanting to be taken seriously as a member of the LQBTQ+ community by thinking you need to buy into corporations - take a step back and remember that pride was about celebrating your true self, so stick with it.

Described as being ugly as sin by Chris Stedman on Twitter/@ChrisDStedman

Pride has come a long way. From the first pride being June 28, 1970, starting as a protest commemorating the anniversary of the Stonewall riot, where Marsha P. Johnson threw the first brick to now, which many feel is lost by the consumer. Pride started as a movement of celebrating who you want to love and fighting for the acceptance to do so, so before you take it upon yourself to buy into the ideology, focus on why. 

Marsha P. Johnson walking the streets of an NYC pride rally/National Museum of African American History and Culture

Is it a thirst trap or are they just thirsty?

Stop calling your selfies thirst traps

As best described by Urban Dictionary, a thirst trap is a sexy photo used to acquire the attention of others or to profess one's own attraction. While the concept is not new, the term rose to popularity in late 2011 amidst the rise of Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter. And as the years have gone on, the phrase has yet to lose traction. A key detail about the term is that it went from describing anyone who took a selfie with any nudity. But now? It's become a word for women who may post a photo of themselves in well.. anything.

A photo of them wearing shorts on a beach on a family vacation? Thirst trap because she's showing her knees and seeking attention! A photo of them showing off their new outfit because they feel beautiful and confident enough to do so? Thirst trap because their mid-drift is seeing the light of day. So, where is the fine line between a thirst trap and just being a woman on the internet? 

(from left to right) Rihanna, Simone Biles, Lizzo, Serena Williams, Miley Cyrus

Casual rape culture is not casual

While it may not be talked about often, I figured it's something important enough to be talked about. Fact: did you know that you're allowed to post a hot photo of yourself? Did you know if you post said photo of yourself, you don't need to seek male validation through it? While it may seem like a crazy concept, it's one I felt like I needed to reaffirm! While posting a photo online can make you feel good, it doesn't mean you want some dude to slide into your DM's with a dick pic. And it certainly doesn't mean that you wish to receive a message from a dude telling you they are about to "rock your world," ... but trust us, we know how that goes. As soon as you rebuff them, have them call you an "ugly slut". 

It's no secret that photos that showcase more skin receive more traction, but what is actually considered a thirst trap? When I was 16, my high school friends told me that if I didn't want to get dick pics DM'd to me, I shouldn't be posting revealing pictures of myself. Thinking about it —my photos were not revealing at all. But knowing that my friends thought I would participate in casual rape culture blew my mind. 

The ideology of someone messaging you, unprompted, with a photo of their privates is disgustingly wrong. It's something that no one asks for! But then to have someone tell you that posting a picture of yourself online meant that you were asking for it. Hmm, does this sound familiar? When we lessen the effect caused by the person who made you feel guilty for posting the photo, we make it not a big deal. This does not mean that you aren't allowed to post a sexy picture of yourself that you feel confident in. Nah, post that photo! It means that people should keep their damn opinions (and their DM sliding) to themselves. You and your sexy photos aren't the problem. The sheer lack of respect is what causes the issue! Listen: if I wanted a DM from my photo, I would be on Tinder. 

My body isn't inappropriate!

Have you ever heard the expression, "am I showing off my boobs? Or do I simply just HAVE boobs". From the tender age of 13, my boobs have been the pinochle of my self-image. They are the first thing ya see when you look at me. I get it, though, I've had DDDs for as long as I could imagine (I swear I have a point to this that isn't just my boobs are enormous), and they were something I just had to deal with. So, flash to the 8th grade. I remember downloading Instagram and being so excited to post my first photo, the most unflattering full-piece Speedo swimsuit picture that my sister took of me in our backyard. Two hours later, a boy from my class messaged me, calling me a slut, saying that I clearly wanted boys to look at my boobs because they were the only thing I had going for me. It was the worst. At the time, I really loved that photo but when he said that, I immediately started second-guessing myself - did I want everyone to look at my boobs? Was I just showing off? Spoiler…no I wasn't. I deleted the picture anyways, but I was heartbroken that I let a little boy with lousy hair gel and who wreaked of AXE body spray ruin my first Instagram post...Not only did I learn you can't please everyone, but regardless of body type, women's bodies will constantly be deemed inappropriate, So moving forward, I made it a mission to post what I felt good in. Although getting slut shamed sucks, I refused to be shamed for my own body. Hell, if the person takes the time to message you to let you know that they didn't like your photo, it may be time for them to evaluate a few things.

I can post whatever the hell I want!

I personally think there's a misconception about posting photos of yourself on social media. I find it's almost compared to that of an unconventional beauty contest with every post. But I wish this perception was changed. Once upon a time, social media was used as a digital scrapbook, and no one gave a shit about if you had cleavage or not. What a time to be alive. Obviously, the tabloids cared a great deal. Still, Instagram was awesome because you could curate your own feed. Still, with popularity, this became less about what you liked versus what you were told to like. I'm not trying to make this philosophical...but with things like thirst traps, it makes it difficult, especially for a woman, to post in a space where they feel they can be celebrated for owning their bodies and not shamed. So, I purpose...hear me out...not caring. I say that as if it's much easier said than done, but holy cow is it empowering to feel good in your own skin and, even better, show it off. When you struggle with a poor self-body image or come to terms with body acceptance, it can feel so damn good to document it - even if you delete it in 3 days. Obviously, this doesn't get rid of people with gross opinions...but it does make it easier to figure out who to block when you get an inevitable message. Posting things is nerve-racking...but surrounding yourself with those you know will comment only on the good makes it a bit better. You've got this. 

So, are thirst traps a good or a bad thing? I think about it like this…No matter who you are or what you believe, we all, to some degree, seek validation. This can come in many forms, whether academic gratification from your teacher, a laugh from your friend group, or your crush commenting on fire emojis on your Instagram photo. It's not wrong to feel this way, but it's essential to not let it rule you. Stop letting other people call your post a thirst trap because they're thirsty…

Let’s get real about fake accounts

 Parody accounts are the past, present and future of social media

Okay, can I share something with all of you? I love parody accounts. They're funny, smart, and something I could scroll through for hours without coming up for air. Parody accounts are in their own league for comedy on social media. It's not that they have one specific quality that makes them above all else or, rather - the crème de la crème of Internet comedy. Simply, the sheer ingredients of satire and imitation, usually done in an exaggerated way for comic effect, get ya hooked. It's like fandoms meet TMZ but in a much healthier way. Stick with me here! You and I both know that a red-carpet photo is just a red carpet photo that can appear in any glossy magazine. But throw a sassy caption including a funny roast and viola; I'm ready to eat that up just like brain candy!

So maybe I'll sit here and wax poetic about why I feel parody accounts are hilarious and why they should appear all over your Explore page. 

1. They set a realistic standard!

Parody accounts have that funny way of giving us that reality check we didn't know we needed. Sometimes I get so conditioned by celebrities' Instagram accounts that I get thrown off when I see something that isn't a staged Pap photo. Obviously, seeing an air-brushed body isn't the best in terms of #naturalbodypositivity. Still, parody accounts can sometimes give us that slap in the face that we all need. It counteracts this mentality for me by being the voice of reason. That voice typically says, "you're not buying this shit, are ya?". NGL, I wish I had heard this voice more often; it would've saved me lots FOMO filled nights.

The Kar-Jenner’s being the most memeable famous family/via TMZ

2. They make celebrities more likable!

I'm not going to lie; I'm not sure if this is good or bad. But I'm adamant that parody accounts actually make the celebrity likable. It humanizes them in a weird feeling. I know they didn't write the caption or curate the photos/posts on the page. Still, I find parody accounts that are more examples of comedy and not entirely roasts work in the celebrity's favour. Kirby Jenner is an example of one of the Kardashians' many more infamous parody accounts. He calls himself Kendall Jenner's fraternal twin. Through his persona as Kirby, he creates hilarious Photoshops, adding himself into situations where Kendall has been. He also had edited himself to appear in episodes of KUWTK or media appearances alongside the family, making them all seem a bit less pretentious. This is something so simple yet so powerful. Using the celebrity's voice in their favour has wholly altered my perception of Kendall Jenner and the Kardashian family. That is until I remember to scroll through Kendall Jenner's actual account; sigh. Parody accounts humanized them, and honestly - I commend them for that.

Kirby putting in the work so Kendall doesn’t have to/via @kirbyjenner

3. Parodies themselves are essential! 

I think the concept of a parody can be defined as someone who makes fun of the mainstream and indulges in the culture of what's popular. It mimics a subject and allows potential consumers to have their own thoughts or feelings by creating satire surrounding whatever they see fit in a safe space. In other words, I genuinely believe it's a form of expression to the funniest degree. There was once a point where parodies took over the Internet circa 2012, and IMO - it was a happier time for everybody. Back then, we would see parodies in the form of music videos - most notable and my childhood fav, The Key of Awesome, which was strictly a music video parody channel, reached peak popularity in 2012 and had young me on the edge of my seat every week awaiting a new parody (important to note this era sadly came to its bittersweet end in 2014, but they managed to create the best YouTube had to offer without being problematic). Now, creators have pivoted to platforms like Instagram or Twitter, where they can make and create several posts at a time. Think of a modern version of a spoof music video, but instead of catchy lyrics, you get a sassy caption! Will Tiktok be next? Guess only time will tell…

Just some of the many characters portrayed by The Key of Awesome/via The Key of Awesome

Our top 8 queer wrestlers

From the signed to the independent circuit 

A physically demanding labour of love, wrestling is enjoyed and observed by millions worldwide. This Including those from all kinds of diverse groups - and predominantly within the LGBTQ+ community. The wrestling world is also home to some of the greatest queer wrestlers providing representation for those who seek it the most and creating a safe space for those who wish to enjoy the sport and feel as if they have a place within the wrestling fellowship.

Here are our top 8 greatest queer wrestlers:

Nyla Rose

Not only kicking ass but making history, Nyla Rose is the first Transgender woman signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) - one of the first within a significant U.S. wrestling promotion. Obviously met with trepidation, Rose feared coming out, worried that she wouldn't find her "place" within the community, but it wasn't until she came out did she realize how her being true to herself made her fans feel - and how needed the representation was. She even said she hopes not only to inspire those within the trans community but to be something to help fuel the next generation. By creating a sense of community now, Rose hopes others won't be met with such struggles that she may have encountered along her journey. 

Nyla Rose/Outsports

Sonny Kiss

Another wrestler signed to All Elite Wrestling, Sonny Kiss, is the embodiment of letting your inner self shine through, in and out of the ring. Captivating stage presence isn't all Kiss is known for, but they're currently one of the most notable genderfluid professional wrestlers in the game. First appearing to the wrestling scene in 2013 (not yet signed with AEW), they made an effort to be that representation and present an open dialogue to an audience about why inclusion is necessary, as there wasn't much of an LGBTQ+ stage presence 8 years ago (this is still very much a work in progress, but it's getting much better). Using both He/Her pronouns, Kiss likes to be referred to by either if they are used respectfully. 

Sonny Kiss/ Sports Illustrated

Sonya Deville

Lesbian wrestler and mixed martial artist Sonya Deville is not only a force to be reckoned with but is one of the driving forces for more prominent inclusion within the professional wrestling circuits. Signed to WWE, Deville has said she has only ever pushed for more authentic LGBTQ+ storylines within their program. She often argues that although inclusion is a big deal, it shouldn't be made one - as there should already be representation everywhere, as this is a normal part of everyday life, not a gimmick. Deville celebrates her identity within herself every day and encourages those who identify as queer to do the same.

Sonya Deville/WWE

Effy

The absolutely enticing wrestler Effy is one of the more notable known names within the LGBTQ+ wrestling community, especially considering he runs within the independent wrestling circuit. With a large social following as well, Effy's comedic demeanour, unapologetic attitude and undeniable charisma, there is no wonder why he is so prevalent within his community. Initially starting his wrestling journey back in 2013 after a slight bender, he made it a mission to jump-start his career in wrestling, knowing he wanted to be in front of an audience - one of his larger motivations being to come out and celebrate who he was in front of others. He has yet to look back since.

Effy/Business Insider

Charlie Morgan

Although not as widely known within the mainstream wrestling community, Charlie Morgan is no newbie when it comes to the ring. Making appearances for NXT UK (which is under the WWE umbrella), although she is more widely known for working with PROGRESS. What makes Morgan so absolutely iconic is her coming out, as she publicly did at an event where she was set to appear. She has since been engaged to retired pro wrestler Jetta (who primarily wrestled for SHIMMER in the early 2000s), and they are living their best life. 

Charlie Morgan (Pictured on the left) /WWE

Gabbi Tuft

Former WWE icon Gabbi Tuft came out as transgender last year, surprising many through a touching Instagram post saying that part of her always felt hidden beneath the shadows, but she now feels no longer afraid to show her true self, ending the caption with "this is me." Before her 2014 retirement, Tuft had a prolific career in the ring, even coining her signature move, The Burning Hammer - so with such a large following, there was fear of losing her large fan base, although quite the opposite happened. Instead, Tuft was met with love and support from fans from their former wrestling years and has not felt such love since being in the ring. 

Gabbi Tuft/PinkNews

Darren young

Former Nexus and Prime Time player Darren Young was actually the first to come out while already signed to WWE. Young came out during an impromptu 2012 interview making strides for the queer wrestling community. "I'm a WWE superstar, and to be honest with you, I'll tell you right now—I'm gay. And I'm happy. I'm very happy," he told an interviewer. His coming out was monumental for the wrestling community, as stated so nonchalantly, but created a giant wave. Young went on to say that he hopes his coming out sparks changes and makes a difference for those in his situation who may not be comfortable coming out yet - and reminds others they should not be judged by sexual identity as this does not make up the entirety of a person. 

Darren Young/WWE

Mack Beggs

Although not part of the professional circuit Mack Beggs was all anyone in the wrestling community (in any community, honestly) could talk about after winning his school's wrestling championships two years running - as he was the first openly trans man competing within the woman's division. At the time, Beggs was at the beginning of the gender confirmation process taking small doses of testosterone at the time. The controversy was the 'upper hand' parents, and peers thought he had on his opponents, although this isn't what Beggs wanted. He asked to compete within the male division but was not allowed based on the birth certificate rule, stating you were required to compete in the division's gender category matching the gender assigned at birth. Even after pulling his 32nd win from the year, the crowd booed as his victory was announced. Met with lawsuits, haters, and constant social media torment, this has only inspired Beggs to proceed with his wrestling career. Admit top surgery back in 2020; this has only made him want to return to the mat more. 

Mack Beggs/ESPN

Why comfort characters are OKAY

 Parasocial relationships don’t always have to be weird 

Have you ever binge-watched a series to the point of not being able to tell the episodes apart? Then when the credit scene comes on for the last time for the season to end, you take it upon yourself to watch clips of interviews. Then maybe look them up on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and now you're confused about how you're watching an edit that a 13yr old made on iMovie or do a deep dive into them via some commentary channel on YouTube, or even worse yet — gulp — reading fan fiction on Wattpad or AO3. Sometimes this is because we have a hard time saying 'goodbye,' or in some instances, we hope that the character you loved so much on the show shares even just a few characteristics from their on-screen persona. Actors can sometimes do that cool thing where they make you fall in love with their character - even when the plot sucks.

Why does this happen, though? Why do we form such idealistic relationships with "fake" people? Or at least it feels like we do…

Top left: The Vampire Diaries/CW, Top right: The Hunger Games/LIONSGATE, Botton left: Marvel/Disney, Bottom right: Gossip Girl/CW

Do you want to be with them? 

Fictophilia is a term to describe forming a solid romantic bond with a fictional character and is much more common than you think. It often happens when a romantic partnership or lack thereof feels absent in a person's life. As a result, they often seek fulfilment elsewhere. Falling in love with characters is so common, not because of the aesthetically pleasing exterior but how they are portrayed. For example, have you ever heard of the expression "he was written by a woman"? It's used to describe the ideal man who appears to have a softer demeanour, treats their partner with respect, or doesn't get grossed out about periods…the bar is on the floor, really…beside the point. You fell in love with them because they were written by a woman who knows exactly what the target demographic wants to hear. Viewers can usually find it difficult to separate the script from real life, but no one is that perfect, as shitty as it sounds. Loving a character is nothing to be ashamed of. They are meant to be loveable. As long as you don't find yourself replacing genuine connections in your life with fictional ones, you're in the clear. But I get it; Edward Cullen haunts my dreams (thanks, Stephanie Meyer, for that unrealistic expectation *eye roll*).

Do you want to be them?

This isn't relationship motivated as it is a pursuit of unfulfilled dreams. In high school, I had a DEEP love for Gossip Girl. Huge, in fact. And no, it wasn't for the stellar writing - but the glamorous lifestyle curated by the people who were totally supposed to be my age (15 at the time) and not at all 30. I then drew a lot of inspo from the show and jazzed it into my own life. Lots of peplum, twee skirts, headbands, and loafers. Adopting slang like calling my friends by their first initials and nothing else. I even went as far as to dm each person on Instagram, telling them they looked great in every post, referring to them by their first name. So, they were not Blake Lively and Leighton Meester but a pair of girlfriends I wanted to party with on the upper east side. I know this sounds insane, but the more I watched the show, the more lavish I wanted to live, thus feeling like I was this socialite. I don't know why I wasn't acting as if I didn't have braces until prom. This never progressed into something stalkerish or scary, but I was a true fangirl until I realized the reason I wanted to be like them was actually because I was nothing like them...at all. Forming fictional parasocial relationships can be like playing a part in the show you love so dearly, even if you know you are wrong as hell for the role. This isn't out of the ordinary in younger communities, even if it isn't always the case for everyone else. It wasn't until I realized that I was utterly altering myself to become this bitchy teenager that I could see the problem. It was probably for the best that the show wasn't real...but that blog would be juciyyyyy. 

Do you want to be friends with them?

To some, Rachel, Joey, Ross, Monica, Chandler, and Phoebe are just Characters, but they are the comic relief at the end of a long workday to others. Having a support system is crucial in a balanced life. This can come in many forms. Whether it be your family, pets, friends, or Friends(do you get it?), everyone needs a safe space to unwind and feel at peace - and to some, this could be a character that makes them laugh, giving them that smile they so desperately crave. It's okay to seek comfort in characters that aren't from our reality, even encouraged by the actors that play them. According to a 2020 report from VICE (How Fictional ‘Comfort Characters’ Help Me Deal With My Emotions), comfort characters are being talked about more than ever before. With Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter being in GEN Z's heavy rotation of apps, watching a GIF or two and beginning to form a bond is extremely easy - much easier than you may think. This isn't weird or scary but can be really wholesome. It is essential to distinguish between in-person and on-screen, of course, but as long as it's not creating a significant impact in your life that isn't positive or affects anyone else's day-to-day, go forth! 

What's my most significant takeaway? First, forming parasocial relationships is normal and, when done healthily, can place ease into your own life by finding a haven in something/someone. Second, screen time isn't always a waste of time. Third, fandoms don't always have to be a crazy young group of teens who gather weekly to rank the top ten hottest characters (but I get it, lol). Finally, what's the best part of fiction? It can be anything you want it to be! Again, as long as we acknowledge that Thor, in reality, has a wife in kids, loving his character is nothing to be ashamed of, plus some of those fan edits are hella catchy.

Our top 10 Cringiest Oscar moments

We found some of the worst moments, so you don’t have to!

The Oscars are one of the most anticipated awards shows every year! Worldwide, people log on to Twitter dot com (come on, who has cable anymore, pfft!) to participate in all the hot takes of the best dressed and the worst dressed on the red carpet. Or who hadn’t live-tweeted as awards are handed out and expressed anger as their faves were snubbed, or take joy when something terrible has happened. NGL, we have. But honestly, the list is endless, and as you can imagine: there is never a dull moment at The Oscars! So to honour that, we’re counting down our cringest moments from Oscar's past.

Angelina Jolie loves her brother...a lot (2000)

It is almost always endearing when stars bring their family members to red carpet events. It can genuinely showcase just how close a celeb is to their family. And in some instances, maybe a little, ahem⁠—TOO close. It seemed harmless enough: Angelina Jolie had her brother accompany her to the 2000 Oscars. As they strolled the red carpet, Jolie and her brother shared what looked like a very intimate kiss after winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in Girl Interrupted. Jolie even said, "I'm so in love with my brother right now." Post-Oscars, the media created a whirlwind of controversy over the kiss, to which Jolie said it was an innocent display of affection and should not be read into it. Sure, okay, Jan. Whatever you say. 

Angelina Jolie and her brother on the Oscars red carpet/2000

James Franco and Anne Hathaway Hosting (2011) 

Is it wrong to say the entirety of James Franco and Anne Hathaway's hosting was super cringe? While the two actors had never worked together before hosting the 2011 Oscars, the vibes were not there. While it would be rude of me to say they didn't put in any work (hello, there was a costume change!) but from jokes that flopped to neither of them sharing eye contact with one another ⁠— oof. It was hard to watch, and I love Anne! What a weird pairing! Many claimed that there had even been some tension between the two after reports of Franco telling Hathaway to stop trying to tell him how to be funny, but after that whole performance, I wish she did.

James Franco and Anne Hathaway hosting/2011

Ashes to ashes, dust to WTF (2012)

Sacha Baron Cohen isn't known for his light sense of humour. So when the Borat star took to the red carpet to promote his new raunchy movie, The Dictator, he dressed entirely in character and stayed very true to his role. Even carrying an urn meant to represent the ashes of former North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Il. While one-on-one with Ryan Seacrest, Cohen spills 'ashes' on Seacrest's costly suit, even having security break up their interview. The best and worst part? Cohen never breaks character. Maybe even worse than that? No one laughed. 

Sacha Baron Cohen in full character/2012

Seth McFarland's "We Saw Your Boobs" (2013) 

Seth McFarland had one of the more memorable hosting gigs in Oscar history, not for anything good tho. McFarland kicked off the 2013 Oscars with an original song titled "We Saw Your Boobs," dedicated to almost every female actress in the audience. The latter partook in a role involving full-frontal nudity. However, the painfully sexist host did not stop there. Oh no, McFarland decided to go one step further, making a joke about the physical abuse Rihanna faced in her relationship with Chris Brown, comparing it to Django Unchained, saying, "it's the story of a man fighting to get back his woman, who has been subjected to unthinkable violence. Or, as Chris Brown and Rihanna call it, a date movie," Bro, what? Why are men like this? So gross!

Seth McFarland singing his awful original song "We Saw Your Boobs”/2013

J-Law falling x2 (2013 & 2014)

This wouldn't be an embarrassing Oscar moments list without Jennifer Lawrence's iconic falls. The first spill in 2013 was when she was going up to accept her award for Best Actress for her role in Silver Linings Playbook, tripping on her beautiful dress up the stairs. The second of the falls happened in 2014, a few seconds after her arrival on the red carpet. After exiting her vehicle, she again tripped on her dress, but instead of letting gravity take her, she gripped the back of a woman's neck, attempting to save herself. She owned the hell out of those tumbles nonetheless ⁠— I did want to peel my skin off when I saw them. 

JLaws first fall/2013

John Travolta (2014)

Travolta was tasked to welcome Broadway legend and actress Idina Menzel to sing the Oscar award-winning song for Best Original Song, Let It Go, at the 2014 Oscars. Travolta did great - except at the pronouncing her name part. Her name was deemed unrecognizable, and when he said her "name," I wasn't expecting her to come out. This is why we have rehearsals and spell check... Don't worry, she got him back by butchering Travolta’s name a year later.

John Travolta introducing Idina Menzel/2014

Memorial mishap (2017)

2017 was a very eventful Oscars. Jan Chapman, the producer known for The Last Days of Chez Nous and The Piano, was wrongfully placed on the Oscars Memoriam slideshow (meant to be Janet Patterson, an Australian costume designer who passed away in October 2016). Chapman then had to put out a statement saying that she was devastated to see her photo there but was very much alive and well. Again, this is why we double-check our work!

Memoriam of “Janet Patterson”/2017

La La Land, no, actually Moonlight (2017) 

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway arguably made one of the biggest mistakes in Oscars history. The two were given the honour of handing out the night's final award for Best Picture and called out the wrong movie La La Land  (which, mind you, was projected to win) instead of Moonlight. Unfortunately, this was only discovered after La La Land's producer Jordan Horowitz read the card correctly, flashing it to the audience, saying, "There's a mistake. 'Moonlight' you guys won the best picture," adding that he was not joking. You could feel the second-hand embarrassment through the screen, especially after spotting the faces of the main characters, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. 

Jordan Horowitz flashes the correct card to the audience/2017

A complete gloss over history (2022)

Riz Ahmed was the first-ever Muslim to win an Oscar for his short film The Long Goodbye. A truly moving film about the relationships between South Asians and British Asians using the metaphor of an abusive relationship. Moving right? You would think that this absolute historic win would be everything anyone would be talking about…wrong. His short film about Islam phobia was an epic triumph, and the award wasn't even delivered through a live broadcast but a short pre-recorded snippet. Absolutely disappointing. This one made the cringe list due to the lack of traction and the lack of common sense by the academy. #dobetter

Riz Ahmed/2022

You’re not invited…(2022)

Does it count if half the awkward happened before the event? Yikes. Rachel Zegler, one of West Side Story's main protagonists, wasn't actually on the OG Oscars guest list…although the film and her co-stars were nominated for several awards. Sounds bad, right? Zegler took to Twitter/Instagram to call out the academy and express her sadness, saying she would be watching from her couch at home. It was later revealed that the lack of invitation was due to a scheduling conflict as she is filming for a new adaptation of Snow White. After what some would say was an obvious choice, an invite to her first-ever Oscars was offered just 6 days before the event - even making a joke while presenting an award ending it with "Dreams really do come true."

Jacob Elordi and Rachel Zegler present the award for Achievement in Visual Effects/2022

Our top 12 favourite queer coded storylines throughout pop culture history

From the good, the bad, and the ugly — we show why representation matters!

You may have noticed, but everyone from reality T.V. to your fave binge-worthy Netflix series is making attempts at trying to better showcase the full scope of the varied LGBTQ+ experiences on screen. While censorship may have reigned supreme in Hollywood throughout the 1930s and '40s (cough, the religiously-motivated Production Code, a.k.a. the Hays Code, cough)—now representation in the media is slowly improving. While the progress is excellent—let's give two claps for society—it can often be misguided. So while I have your undivided attention, let's focus on the positives and talk about some of the staple queer characters who paved the way for many. Not only did they become inspirations for the queer community (and beyond), but they also became some of our most beloved comfort characters on and off-screen, as they provided us accurate and compelling forms of queer representation via complex storylines.

Here are some of my favourite queer storylines in pop culture history:

Robin on Stranger Things

Although only introduced in the most recent season, Robin quickly became a fan favourite. She works a summer job throughout the season and goes on quite the adventure with Hawkin's heartthrob Steve Harrington. The storyline made you believe they were written in the stars until Robin shuts that theory down with trepidation. But, of course, Steve understood her fear, creating a very heartwarming scene on a public washroom floor. We stan!

Maya Hawk as Robin/Netflix

Santana on Glee

Santana was Glee's spunky cheerleader character who, for the entirety of 2 seasons, she concealed her sexuality in fear of being an outcast. Still, after being shown love and acceptance by her peers, Santana decided it was time to come out to her grandmother, who was unhappy about this. Santana's coming-out story mirrors so many of our own complicated family dynamics that can sometimes be very upsetting to queer folks. But in the end, she grew to accept herself; she finally understood that family was something that you could 100% choose on your own! Chosen family, ftw!

Naya Rivera as Santana/Fox

Eric on Sex Education

Eric Effiong, played by actor Ncuti Gatwa didn't exactly fly under the radar on Sex Education. But, as the loud, colourful best friend to Otis Milburn, he has shown us navigating his queerness in a joyful yet somber and nuanced way in a traditional Nigerian home. Even after being Bullied for being flamboyant, Eric made an effort to be seen as only one out of the two "out" kids in school. Eric even encourages Otis to break out the norm daily by giving him fashion advice, pushing him to do things out of his comfort zone, and helping Otis understand that being normal is boring. Eric provides so much comfort as he goes through hell and back relating to his identity in multiples episodes throughout each season, yet manages to provide a haven in himself by staying true to who he is

Ncuti Gatwa as Eric (Pictured on the left)/Netflix

David on Schitt's Creek

Schitt's Creek stunned viewers when Dan Levy's flamboyant character David started banging ladies—specifically his best friend, Stevie. After their romantic encounter, even Stevie felt confused by the encounter sharing with David; she had always assumed he was gay. This moment was such a teachable moment for all, as it provided David the opportunity to explain his sexuality to Stevie and discuss wine —naturally, of course. He compared his sexuality to wine, sharing, "I like the wine and not the label." And wow, we had never heard something so simple yet effective for those who identify as pan and fluid before.

Dan Levy as David/Netflix

Ryan on Special

Special is an autobiographical show about a gay writer with C.P. (Cerebral Palsy). Following Ryan through his career, he attempted to create a new identity for himself, to be not so definitively known for being the gay guy with cerebral palsy. This show represented the queer disabled community. While still giving insight into the tribulations that come with being out of society's norm. P.S. I'm still distraught that Netflix cancelled this.

Ryan O'Connell as Ryan/Netflix

Clare on Derry Girls

Following the lives of young adolescents in high school makes for pretty good viewing, especially when they have to deal with awkward growing pains. This becomes especially difficult for Clare as an anonymous writing contest is posted in school, and she uses the opportunity to come out. However, after her friends find out she is the person behind the piece, expecting warmth and praise, she is met with a bit of hesitation by her fellow peers. After coming to terms with her sexuality, she is not apologetic, and her friends understand that she deserves to be proud of who she is (even sporting rainbow pins in season 2).

Nicola Coughlan as Clare/Netflix

Holt on Brooklyn 99

Holt is an example of casual queer representation. A male POC, not so stereotypically fitting into the box of homosexuality, then giving a 'so what if I'm gay' attitude, met with a very intimidating stature, was the unconventional approach to queer on tv. This does not mean bad, but I appreciated that he was represented as a person and given storylines not always relating to his sexuality. BONUS: we got another queer storyline in season 5 when fellow officer Rosa comes out. 

Andre Braugher as Holt/NBC

Elena on One Day at a Time

After Elena gets a boyfriend, her world starts to fall apart. Which I mean, tracks—right? But all jokes aside, Elena is a strong-willed young woman, and everyone around her assumes she's just an independent person who does better on their own. Until Elena hits her breaking point and begins to express some of her true feelings around dating and relationships to her mother. Answer: they don't involve men! Her mother is the icon, and legend shows Elena the love and support she needs. No, I'm not crying; you are! 

Isabella Gomez as Elena/Netflix

Mickey on Shameless

Mickey's story is a heartbreaking one with tales of internalized homophobia. After secretly sneaking around with neighbour Ian, Mickey's father finds out about their rendezvous, resulting in violence. After years of suppression, Mickey realizes his sneaking around affects Ian, so as Ian decides he's done, Mickey decides that he's holding in his secret. Of course, this was still met with violence and anger, but Mickey proudly wore his black eye the next day.

Noel Fisher as Mickey/Showtime

Sophia on Orange Is the New Black 

Sophia Burst was indeed a force to be reckoned with. But, in an already corrupt prison industrial complex, place a black trans woman in the mix; there is bound to be unfair mistreatment. From losing her job, forming a strained relationship with her wife and son, and being found guilty of credit card fraud, all to forgo gender confirmation surgery displayed how fundamental her identity is to her. She defined resilience while taking her time to stay true to herself. While not everyone can understand or appreciate why she remained adamant that she was given the same shitty treatment as the other inmates, she fought for equality. Plus, she made sure the guards used her correct pronouns. Hell ya!

Laverne Cox as Sophia/Netflix

Ruby and Sapphire on Steven Universe

Steven Universe was initially targeted as a children's cartoon surrounded by an almost superhero-like team of magical non-binary beings (as described by creator Rebecca Sugar, the first non-binary person to create a series for Cartoon Network) - The Crystal Gems. Ruby and Sapphire, two halves of a whole gem, Garnet, was made to display their love for one another. Their love so celebrated and pure made this relationship a cult favourite in the Steven Universe queer fanbase. Although there are many queer representations through the series, Ruby and Sapphires made history by incorporating the first same-sex wedding on Cartoon Network. This alone raised the average viewer age around 22 (youngest being 10, oldest being 50!), making it a queer cartoon loved by all ages.

Erica Luttrell voiced Sapphire (left) Charlyne Yi voiced Ruby (right)/Cartoon Network

Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista on Pose

POC trans rights activist, singer, songwriter, and actress MJ Rodriguez starred as Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista in the Emmy-winning drama series Pose, set in New York in the 80s. When AIDS was a raging epidemic, queer homelessness was high, and the word "gay" was deemed the biggest insult. Blanca takes on the role of house mother by forming the House of Evangelista—providing care, nourishment, and a family to those who have been rejected by their own. The House of Evangelista includes Damon, a queer dancer who begins to compete in ballroom pageants and attend the New School for Dance on Blanca's encouragement. Blanca also takes in sex-worker Angel and homeless youth Papi, and she provides them all new life and a safe space to express themselves freely. Pose provides the in-depth storylines to being a queer POC, especially in times of 'uncertainty' (New York in the '80s).

Mj Rodriguez as Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista/FX

I've learned from T.V. that no one's life, relationships, bond, or coming-out story look the same. There is also no 'right' time to come out or provide an explanation for your life. Nor do you ever have to. You owe this to no one. You deserve love and acceptance, so surround yourself with those who know will give that to you, and if this wasn't the case, be the person you needed.

Advice to a younger you, from an older view

How I survived my early adolescence
by Olivia Pettinato

Ok, but real talk: why does being a teenager feel so weird? Besides the daily trials and tribulations of growing up peppered shitty societal standards—add in the physical (and often confusing) aspects of puberty into the mix, and you have the ingredients for a pretty good coming-of-age movie. But in all seriousness, my teen years are not that far off from where I am now.

There are nights that I still wake up, anxious and sweaty, wondering why I left the house the way I did or why I thought wearing my eyebrows that day was a good look for me. But never mind all that —going to high school in the age of social media, more specifically Snapchat, made it a lot harder. Instead of Becky and Ryan just passing around a note in class that called you a whore. They took to private social channels to target individuals (like me) using nudes or suggestive videos to harass and bully, or hell— even trade them like Pokémon cards (gotta catch 'em all). Not only was it humiliating, degrading, and so isolating.

However, as I transitioned from a teen to a twenty-something-year-old, I came to terms with a few things. I feel it is part of my due diligence to share these with you (although there is probably a good chance you've already left high school).

Olivia circa 2013

Second Puberty 

Puberty can make or break your self-image. It seems cruel to be gifted with hormonal acne (spoiler alert: it doesn't go away), while others get a large bust or a speedy metabolism. And don’t even talk to me about social media! Social media is exceptionally curated, with individuals only showing you what they want you to see. There is a reason why celebrity photoshop fails are so notoriously sought after. People want to see the human in others to accept the human within themselves. Now, if only I had realized this sooner, I would have blocked Kendall Jenner. Now I know this may seem harsh, but you don’t NEED to have a personal connection with a celebrity. Especially if the sight of them is making you feel bad. Heck, it’s YOUR social space. So simply remove them from your feed, and carry on with your life. Because tbh, you deserve to feel good about yourself.


4Lifers 

To bluntly rip off the Band-Aid, I am no longer friends with any of my old friends from school. Of course, this is not meant to invalidate some of the pretty great relationships you may develop throughout high school. What I am trying to say is that, these relationships won’t make or break you, or that you won’t find a friend that you do make a genuine human connection with. Just remember this: quality > quantity. I promise you that the Snapchat story of Grace from Bio getting absolutely sloshed at a party you weren't invited to does not make you obsolete. There are better things to do than sitting in a half-renovated basement drinking Sourpuss and only cracking a smile when you see a flash—trust me, it’s not worth it! A better way to spend your weekend? Ordering sushi with a friend and hate watching your favourite trilogy - may I suggest Twilight? Also a High Low Brow fave ;) 

Keep Reinventing Yourself 

Can I let you in on a little secret? At one point in my high school career, I shaved my head. Not entirely shaved, but a decent bit off the side. It was the day before the Vans Warped Tour, and I panicked! (not at the disco, 😂) and well, I just wanted to be taken seriously. So I did what any 15-year-old teenager would do — I shaved my head. It felt so liberating and free, but the only genuine regret I felt was when I caught a wind chill in my baby hairs growing out during the
wintertime. Otherwise, I was a total badass. 

Experimentation is totally normal during your teens and getting things like that out of your system is the perfect way to discover who YOU are. Start with something small like a shirt you wouldn't typically wear, working your way up to hair dye, and maybe trying out some piercings. Wait to get that permanent ink or to go to a club, I promise you will thank me later for this. This is your journey to self-discovery and your way to figure out the hobbies, interests, or potential forms of self-expression you may be interested in.

I'm still vastly under-qualified in many aspects of my life, but there are my nuggets of wisdom that I curated over an embarrassingly long time. But, of course, no experience is exactly like the other. No one in life knows exactly what they’re doing. Faking it until you make it is a huge part of being young (and well - at any age, really).  So, here is my very common-sense advice to you reader! Use it wisely. 

Season 2 Starts Now!

Why HLB is your new favourite podcast 

The urge to get on a facetime call with your best friend after a long day of work to just hear a familiar voice, then to have them prop their phone against the bathroom mirror while they dye their hair just ranting about why they think every girl should have a red hair phase. At times, this can feel like a warm hug and give you that sense of mind that makes you feel not so alone or judged.

Finding a safe space can be a rather tedious process. So what better way to feel like you're in a safe space than to relax with your favourite podcast? High Low Brow is the podcast that can make you feel like you're on that facetime call with your best friend. But, instead of a poor wifi connection, you may feel a real one.

Let's get to know the two voices behind your new favourite podcast!

Illustration by @beenathemistry

Why do you love being a part of HLB?

 Amanda: I think the thing that I love most about making and creating High Low Brow is that it takes all my interests, whether it be plus-size fashion, reality television or the Internet— I get to talk about them in one place.

What are you most excited about for the new season?

 Ameema: We've only just started recording this season, and I'm already having so much fun! We’ve got some incredible guests lined up to discuss some cool cultural phenomena, and this is just a fun way to have exciting conversations with REALLY COOL PEOPLE.

What separates this podcast from the rest?

 Amanda: I'm not sure you're going to go on to another podcast that discusses pop culture and, you know, hear an episode about thirst traps. (laughs) We're trying to take a different look at things.

 Ameema: Probably all the references to vampire fiction…. Haha, but honestly, I think it’s because this podcast is about two people (and their guests) who are passionate or interested or knowledgeable about things that are often dismissed culturally. We don’t care or take ourselves too seriously. We show up, chat, and usually come out of it with an interesting perspective!

What piece of work are you most proud of?

 Amanda: A piece I wrote for The Walrus in March 2021 (and went viral) was called Will Beauty Change When the World Comes Back? It examines how beauty standards may change post-pandemic, granted we're still in a pandemic (laughs). But it also tried to illustrate how being in a lockdown was somewhat helpful for individuals to explore what beauty really meant to them, myself included.

 Ameema: Am I allowed to say I’m proud of all my work?

 One of the pieces I’m most proud of is my first published piece, for With/Out Pretend’s The Vault. It’s called This Body, My Body. This was a vulnerable, really intimate piece of work exploring the relationship I have with my body — being fat, racialized, and chronically ill. I poured a lot of myself into this work and will always be proud of myself for it.

I’m also really proud of my small (but mighty) Bookstagram account: @ReadWithMeemz! I started it to give a platform to diverse books and authors from marginalized communities, and I really love the community that I’ve built because of it. 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

 Amanda: I'm in the process of working on two book manuscripts, and hopefully, one day, someone will have purchased them and they will have been released to the public! Plus, I still want to be working on the podcast! I just want to make my creative pursuits the thing that I am always working on — that's the end goal.

 Ameema: I hope to look back at a career of successful and unsuccessful submissions to publications because that will mean I tried.  am also hopeful that I will have written my first book by then! Also, I’m hoping in 5 years, I will understand the stock market (at least a bit), I will have learned how to braid my hair, and I will have learned to cook some more of my favourite Pakistani dishes. 

Don’t forget to tune in every Sunday to hear “high-brow takes” on “low-brow culture” with Ama and Ameema on Apple Music and Spotify!