Melanistic Animals🖤

anyone please ask your crush out like this

I am all about Ace Peridot right now.

I mean, alright, yeah, technically, the Gems have no concept of sex in the first place – or any form of reproduction that doesn’t involve drilling a hole in the ground. On a literal level, they’re all asexual.

But that’s not a human experience. That’s made-up sci-fi gobbledygook. It doesn’t actually speak to the feelings or the experiences of actual asexual people. Or at the very least, it doesn’t really speak to mine.

But Peridot here… I like this.

There’s this…this physical form of intimacy, this incredible link that people can have between them that turns their love into something material, something of the flesh, and everyone around you keeps talking about how fantastic it is. It’s pretty much become an everyday part of their lives. And it’s kind of funny. And kind of weird. And you don’t really know what to think about it. Most of the time, it’s hard to picture yourself actually doing it. But at the same time, maybe part of you really wants to, at least once, just to see what it’s like. Just to see what all the noise is about. Or, then again, no, maybe you don’t.

Maybe someday you will.

Maybe someday you won’t.

Either way, whether or not you might choose to try it out one day, you just don’t feel the need like other people do. You’re not quite the same as them.

And that’s okay.

Having heard so much about how beautiful and amazing fusion is, Peridot seemed to have this idea that if she didn’t go through with it, then she would be doing something wrong – that it would be a fault or a failing, that it would make her a bad Crystal Gem. But, no. No, it doesn’t. It’s her right to say no. Any time. For any reason. It’s her right never to fuse at all if she doesn’t want to.

And Garnet’s here to let her know that nobody should ever be pressured or forced into a fusion they don’t want or one they’re not ready for.

You know, like, fusion is a lot of things. Because relationships can be a lot of things, and “fusion” is just a sci-fi gobbledygook word for “relationship.”

In The Answer, fusion was the scary, mysterious, giddy, giggly joy of a new relationship. The spark. The rush. The terrifying, wonderful electricity.

In Garnet, generally, it’s a deep and long-lasting commitment.

In Malachite, it’s the unhealthy, malevolent force that keeps two people who despise each other from letting each other go.

And, tonight, it was a physical experience that Peridot simply wants no part of. Certainly not right now. And maybe not ever. And she expected to be lambasted for that. She expected not to be accepted, but, instead, she found support and respect and compassion. And I just really appreciate that.

I just wanted to hear this post in real life, and I chased that impulse.

Jessica 'just take the fucking elevator' Jones

Reblog if you already miss MLP

Challenge accepted

In honor of the new Lion King movie being released this month here are some storyboards from the 1994 original to prepare you for that one scene we all dread seeing again. 

VISERION

You will be missed… 😭😭😭 After Hodor’s death this is the second time I cried in GOT 😭😭😭

None of these gifs are mine.

Ace Visibility Matters

Being visible for ace week almost inevitably means at some point running headlong into some ugly acephobia.

Here is one that crops up a lot when people are first learning about asexuality that I’m going to tackle today.

“Why do I have to know you’re ace?/Who cares if you’re visible?/Aces are just seeking attention.”

First and foremost, ace visibility matters.

It matters that we have an identity, and that we can define ourselves and our experiences so that we can recognize and advocate for ourselves and each other. It matters that aces are visible, and that information ABOUT asexuality and asexual communities is visible, first and foremost, so that OTHER ASEXUALS can access it.

In spite of increasing traction and acceptance in online spaces like Tumblr, “Asexual” and the numerous micro labels that fall under its umbrella, are still not widely understood or even heard of by the population at large.

By being visible, the likelihood is increased that awareness of asexuality will reach other aces who do not yet know that they are ace. And that it will reach them earlier in their lives.

There are numerous positive impacts for an asexual discovering they have a recognized identity and COMMUNITY. Notably, and while this is not a comprehensive list:

Validation. The realization and sense of security that comes from learning that they are not the only one. Not “broken.” Not a mistake, or someone who just needs to “get over it.”

Freeing aces from pressure to conform to allo standards to “fit in”, which can negatively impact their wellbeing, mental health, and self esteem.

Allowing aces to Discover their communities, Receive Support from one another, and Organize to advocate for themselves

The importance of that last one cannot be overstated. Humans are social creatures with an inherent need to connect with one another. By having the labels and language to describe ourselves, asexuals are able to find those whose experiences mirror their own. This allows asexuals to explore their own sexuality in a safe space with individuals who are able to understand their experiences. It allows them to give and receive validation and share positivity. And more broadly, it leads to the formation of communities.

A community is important for the social needs of individuals aces, but it is also key to advocacy. We cannot effectively advocate for ourselves if we cannot effectively organize.

That is the most serious need for community, and by extension visibility, always, regardless of where you fall under the lgbtq+ umbrella. Isolated, as scattered individuals in the minority? We have very little reach. Together we have power to look out for one another and effect positive change in how we are perceived and treated.

(This is the same reason that the LGBTQ identities are all better served banding together under the umbrella and advocating for and with each other, but that’s another can of worms I won’t get too deep into)

With all that said, other than aces being aware of themselves, it is still very important that non-aces are also aware and educated about what ace means. Education fosters understanding and wider acceptance. It means non-aces are more likely to find common ground with their ace peers, and visible aces are more likely to find acceptance and avoid aphobia with their non-ace peers.

With all this in mind, when you encounter attitudes like those that prompted this article that boil down to “why do aces need to be visible?/isnt announcing your asexuality just seeking attention?”, please actively help to dismantle those notions as they are harmful to the ace individuals and the community at large.

Likewise, please share this if you can and support aces being out and visible.

Call me, beep me if ya wanna reach me. When ya wanna page me it’s okay. I just can’t wait until I hear my cell phone ring. Doesn’t matter if it’s day or night. Everything’s gonna be alright. Whenever you need me baby. Call me, beep me if ya wanna reach me