Subscribers vs. Patreon + Super Secret Project!

And thanks, James Boatright, for the idea: Just doubled my pledge too.

BobC

Holy fuck. Who the hell can't like celebrations of the joy of one's personhood? I'm so straight it hurts, yet I ache with pride for my non-cis friends who've had so much to overcome. I'm not just a "fan" of some kind. When my life went into a dark place, it was the Gay community who gave me a safe home, and a place to be myself. I made friends I'll love forever. They healed me, then pushed me back out into the world. I got hit on so hard ("straight bait"). I got a small glimpse of what so many women go through every day. It changed my relationships, made me a feminist. My "residence" in the Gay community got to the point where I was introduced as "My friend Bob, who's not gay. Yet." I wear that association with Pride. I want there to be another stripe on that rainbow flag for folks like me, who are so thankful to live in a world with such people in it. I'm tearing up and fumbling for words. I'm so confused by folks who feel threatened by things that don't affect their own lives. They are afraid to see and hear what's real in the world, choosing instead to live in a false and closed "reality". I am richer and made better by the full range of folks on this planet. Including those with whom I disagree. So long as there's breath, there's hope.

BobC

Keep killing it with the awesome content, Fran. Thanks for all that you do!

Jason Thorpe

Doubled my pledge

James Boatright

Hi Fran, a couple of years ago you released a video to mark the passing of David Bowie. In your introduction you wrote "My first Cassette Time got a record thumbs down - so I'll do another. " I love that attitude, please don't change. And if anyone here hasn't listened to Fran's version of Heroes I urge you to do so now, it's the best I've heard - Bowie's included.

David Peaker

Hi Fran, I think that there are 2 ways. Either to have all in one like you do or separate "professional creator" part from personal. As other guys pointed out Dave's second channel. There will be always people who don't want to get too personal with creator but rather enjoy certain topics. For example i have many interests in life. But if i talk to my friendly co-workers i do not touch certain topics. They can not handle all things in rational manner and i do not want to attack their belief system. What good would it make? On the other hand my close friends must handle these things because i need their support in all situations. This is why there are not many real friends in the world if you are a bit non-standard.

Hello Fran, is the Philly PO Box still good I have some Interesting LED's I'd like to send to you...????

When I saw that video, I knew it would have consequences. I assume you did as well. Carry on! A project more challenging than DSKY? Interesting.

Fran i love the channel its content and its host that being you, I also love that you posted a video of you at pride... Us trans women need to be visible and sometimes "in your face" just to let people know that yes we can do stuff too... I run into this often working in the bicycle industry for the last 26 years... "What a trans girl can fix bikes and build wheels. Oh the horror from the haters... But they see us doing it and ultimately have to give us the respect due from our dedicated work. Keep making awesome Franlab videos and content and the Subs will be back... I love the channel and will always support it.... And please do another vintage Heathkit build, that series was such a pleasure to follow.

Sorry you had to clean up those comments. Not something anyone should have to be subjected to. And thank you for making more people understand that these things are part of normal human life.

Jamie Magin

I watch your channel because it's an opportunity to hang out virtually with a supremely interesting person. I love vintage tech, but I also love finding new things to be interested in, and it seems to me that you have the same sort of curiosity. The Pride video didn't bother me in the slightest - it was another insight into a person I think I'd have a blast hanging out with. I can't imagine how it must have hurt to see those hateful comments, but there are WAY more people who support and love you for who you are and what you contribute to the community.

Fred Patton

Other creators have a secondary channel for this sort of content like EEVBLOG where you can vent, be controversial, etc. You know if you visit that's what you will get. Bottom line - my support of you does not waver - keep being you but I am here mainly for the electronics and your wonderful "Franlab way" of presenting them. I'm not discouraging you from presenting other content. I can choose to watch or not with my limited free time. I always look forward to notifications from you for new videos. This "secret project" is intriguing.

Bill Karkula

Really excited for the super secret project! Can't wait! As for the unsubscribers, well if they can't get over themselves, and accept others for who they are, then they're the ones who're going to miss out. It's really very simple.

UpLateGeek

Yeah, people can be real bass turds at times, and they must be culled from the herd, so to speak. There is no room on this planet for closed minds. Minds are like parachutes, they only function when open.

Rocco Rizzo

You got my attention. I'm intrigued and will start counting the weeks. I, and many of your fans, are very glad when you bring yourself to the channel. Before I knew about the trans, I knew you were unique, and I knew I liked it. Keep fighting the good fight.

Michael S Wilhelm

98,000 subscribers and 1100 left but It does seem disturbing over what they'd do over one video that doesn't appeal to them. Dave Jones did a video on Trumps Solar Panel plan to put them ontop of the Mexcan walls that he wanted to build "EEVblog #1002 - Trump's Solar Freakin' Wall DEBUNKED!" and that became political fast in the comments section that he had to pin up a warning notice.

MrMobodies

I think I saw a quick glimpse... It is sort of an activist thing with the marching and thought nothing to do with me, not interested and went to Clive's channel for his Hopi Power Meter tear down. I support the videos you do on the work. An activist video about what you stand and fight for wouldn't put me off. Just a suggestion maybe you can start channel, ActivistFran? and talk about all the injustices that you had fight and I'll be sure to check it out.

MrMobodies

Fran, I am definitely a traditionalist and even sorta conservative. As far as I am concerned you have a right to support any group or cause you like. You can associate with any group you like. I believe in personal freedom. Don't pay any attention to those idiots.

Carol K Stouffer

In the garden of your channel, those were just weeds.

Michael Aichlmayr

Good to see you smiling again. We love you, Fran.

Bill Kerr

Hey friend, I'm trying to think of things to say to help you and the only thing I think is meaningful is thanks. Thank you. I wish I could do what you do and I am so grateful. You got nowhere to do but up!

Joel Murphy

Veristasium just released a video on this very subject, which, I hope at least makes you feel better :/ I don't know how I lucked into your channel, but I'm glad I did.

Brandon Lewis

My theory is that it's about popping people's "media bubbles:" The internet allows some things to cross cultural barriers they otherwise wouldn't. And when that happens, you burst people's bubbles. Which would certainly neither be good, or in any way your fault, or excuse people's shitty behavior.

Brandon Lewis

They are noise and you didn't need them. I'm excited for your secret project.

I have never understood why a transsexual identity is an issue. I am interested in your content. I admire your courage in the face of this unwarranted hate, but for me it is a sideshow. It's not why I'm here.

SpringRat

I was wondering when I saw you're "overtly political" video how some of your viewers would respond. Sad, but I think you can recruit a few more emotionally mature subscribers and make up the difference. And your numbers out perform 99% of YouTube. Next weekend we have the Minneapolis/St. Paul Pride weekend. I'll be thinking of you.

Kendra Akin

fsck the haters! As a queer-as-heck trans girl who grew up outside Philly, I wish I coulda been there with you!

Carissa Vixen

Congrats for that score! Keep it up. Cant wait to watch the S.S.P! :)

Hmm, secret project, 4 weeks left, obviously can't have anything at all to do with the Apollo 50th...

EEVblog

It's boring everyday regular stuff here. Our famous Mardi Gras is becoming less popular because, well, it's just boring and normal now I guess...

EEVblog

Fran, can you be bribed? How much will we have to increase our pledges for you to "spill the beans" on this so called "Super Secret Project"? :-)

Howard Simons

Haters gonna hate... But I'm here for you and your content, so keep being awesome!

Adafruit still have pride colours displayed on their web site as they do every year. I wonder if they get any negative feedback.

Howard Simons

Infuriating... I'm finding as I'm getting older that I'm more intolerant of intolerance. Frack 'em. The subscriber count will hit 100K soon enough without 'em.

Howard Simons

To quite a lot of crappy people, "politics" is "anything that doesn't directly affect me, so I shouldn't have to think about it". It's the exact same crap used against marginalized groups since forever: why can't you just "maintain decorum", why do you have to go shove this in our face all the time and raise a fuss about it, etc. And I mean, *literally* the exact same, there are news articles from the 60's complaining that Martin Luther King was "too political". Anyway, screw them. Keep up the great work Fran, I love ya and what you're doing a ton!

Shame Boy

Way to go Fran...... stay strong, stay true. I’m musing to myself ......is that the Secret Project you are building the Apollo rocket to go with the DSKY? Now there’s a thought!

Harry Lakhaney

Cool numbers Fran! A super secret project. 😀

Happy pride Fran! Always be yourself, that's who we love. Upping my Patreon support, you do such great work and have been through too much lately.

I am looking forward to the Secret Project!

William Alsing

Staying out and proud till it's just boring everyday regular stuff.

Fran Blanche

"How can people change their minds about us if they don't know who we are?" -- Harvey Milk Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/harvey_milk

lohphat

Raspberry Pi received lots of hateful comments when they changed their logo for Pride. ☹