One of a Kind

An Explanation of Queer-Baiting and Why it's a Problem

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:39:49 -0400

In this context, I am using the word “queer” as an umbrella term for gay, bisexual, pansexual, trans*, and gender-variant people. I recognize that it is not ideal, and I am sorry for that.

For those of you who don’t understand the concept of queer-baiting, allow me to explain it. Queer-baiting is what happens when a series wants to attract a queer audience without alienating their homophobic/transphobic audience. They introduce a character that queer people can relate to. They use the details and feelings common to queer people’s lives to make it very obvious to anyone who is queer, that the character is also queer. They know that because there is very little queer representation in media, queer people are going to latch onto this character, and therefore latch onto the series.

However, they never let the character actually come out. When the homophobic/transphobic part of the audience starts to realize that the character is queer, the writers add something to reassure them that no, of course the character is straight. Often, this takes the form of a character who is clearly portrayed as gay suddenly entering a straight relationship, but that is not the only way it can play out.

What this does, is tell queer people that their stories are not decent or important enough to be told. This tells queer people that their stories are only acceptable if they’re changed to be the stories of heteronormative people.

Additionally, when queer people say, “I identified with this character as a queer person,” or “I think this character could have been queer,” the heteronormative parts of the audience are encouraged to tell queer people that they should not be saying that. The heteronormative parts of the audience are encouraged to tell queer people, “stop projecting,” and “stop dragging respectable heteronormative characters into your weird issues.” Queer people are told that they should be ashamed of themselves for thinking that the character was being portrayed as queer.

Queer-baiting is even more painful than erasure, because it dangles fair and equal representation in front of your eyes, and then snatches it away. And then it tells you that the whole thing was in your imagination all along.

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Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:03:46 -0400

“The video was shot and edited on school property. It shows...

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:45:20 -0400

“The video was shot and edited on school property. It shows students doing the hip-shaking moves of twerking.”

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Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:45:07 -0400

trappedinsanity: me in life.

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:40:57 -0400

trappedinsanity:

me in life.

"To be black and conscious in America is to be in a constant state of rage."

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:29:09 -0400

“To be black and conscious in America is to be in a constant state of rage.”

- James Baldwin (via awesome-everyday)

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Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:13:37 -0400

jaratepills: when u say something and the the tv says it right after

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:08:09 -0400

jaratepills:

when u say something and the the tv says it right after

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Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:57:10 -0400

mrsfaithwinchester: french: my life all wrapped up into one...

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:30:46 -0400

mrsfaithwinchester:

french:

my life all wrapped up into one photo

oh my god….. I’m so sorry for that person… that’s just… omg

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Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:19:39 -0400

whoisjasperback: jarvislamar: NOOOOOOOO LMAO lmao she tried

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:35:01 -0400

whoisjasperback:

jarvislamar:

NOOOOOOOO LMAO

lmao she tried

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Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:22:26 -0400

weirdough: I think the scariest thing about growing up is watching as everyone’s dreams and...

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:06:04 -0400

weirdough:

I think the scariest thing about growing up is watching as everyone’s dreams and aspirations are put to the side in favor of reality

lightsofyoureyes: diariesofaglaswegianoddity: halmablog: I’m...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:55:27 -0400

lightsofyoureyes:

diariesofaglaswegianoddity:

halmablog:

I’m going to keep reblogging this.

YES YES YES YES ALL OF THIS YES YES.

Shove this post down the throat of every single school board member and politician.

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Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:47:27 -0400

rayrayssmile: Big is beautiful

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:42:11 -0400

rayrayssmile:

Big is beautiful

frigerator: FIRST OF ALL WHEN YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT RACISM DON’T SAY “SO EASY A WHITE GIRL COULD...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:33:54 -0400

frigerator:

FIRST OF ALL WHEN YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT RACISM DON’T SAY “SO EASY A WHITE GIRL COULD UNDERSTAND IT”

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Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:15:49 -0400

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Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:55:08 -0400