A Longer Read Than Normal
Added 2024-11-09 08:00:05 +0000 UTCFirst and foremost, I want to say hate has no place here (even Lyle doesn't really hate anyone).
I've been collecting my thoughts for the last few days since Tuesday with the election here in the US and in my friend circles, social media, etc. I have seen countless posts (in short) denouncing the results of the election and rallying against hate.
While I agree with many of those sentiments by virtue of who I am as a person and CFT, historically I have and will continue to keep CFT apolitical (for lack of a better term).
I am not extremely vocal about a lot of my beliefs/morals not because I don't think those things are important but because I see my role in "fighting for what's right" not so much as a leader but as a helper. I think leaders and champions of civil/human rights issues etc. should come from those communities and I can help lift them up and give them a voice.
Additionally, and excuse my French, it's just "really fcking nice" to have a place where you don't have to think about all the shtty stuff in the world for five f*cking seconds.
When you're demonstrating at a rally, someone has to be handing out water bottles to keep people hydrated. When soldiers are off at war, someone has to come in and put on a show to give soldiers something to laugh at. When you need to get to people to a sit in/protest, someone has to go pick people up that can't drive.
Also, hope this doesn't come across as "I'm so great" or I'm a martyr or I'm the real hero or anything, I'm just saying I'm glad I can build a community and create content for people to laugh, find cosplay help, or enjoy the trash after dark content. So thank you all for supporting me.
I talked with my team (a majority of CFT employees are queer and I believe that many patrons here are also in the community) and we're donating to to the TransLifeline (https://translifeline.org/hotline/) - there are a million organizations out there, but in the same way that I can act as a reprieve or helper, donations help run the lifeline. No matter what you're going through, at the very least, sometimes reaching out and someone else being there can literally be a lifesaver.
If you are in a position to reach out to someone you think may need help, do it - your hunch may be right and they don't know who to reach out to.
Just remember, stay trashy.
- the whole CFT team
P.S. Always remember to take care of yourself first and foremost. If you ever fall under financial hardship and cannot support, I will be 0.0% offended. I'm serious. It's like putting a mask on an airplane before helping your kids put their facemask on. Is that what those are called? The breath face masks things you know the ones that don't fully inflate but you see in movies? Honestly I've always wanted to try one. Not that I want any airplanes to fail but oh f*ck here I am rambling again but this was all done initially with voice to text so yeah
P.S.S. We hired Myle yesterday - see instagram for his intro.
P.S.S. Yes I realize it's 2 am.
Comments
Hey Vic, nice european too.. i'm from germany, if my user name didn't already give it away^^
Rabenfeder
2024-11-09 23:56:14 +0000 UTCHi Rabenfeder (raven feather is a great screen name): I've been lucky to find a queer community in south-east Ireland where there are a bunch of disabled folk, and I fully agree that even knowing they're around the county on weeks when I'm stuck at home helps.
Vic Kelly
2024-11-09 23:42:17 +0000 UTCOh I like that.
Cosplays From Trash
2024-11-09 23:29:13 +0000 UTCMight I suggest the phrase "social justice cleric"? Fighting the good fight is much like any other quest: your party need a diversity of skills to be successful. Warriors out front, mages lobbing fireballs from the back, rogues getting intel, and most importantly, the support that keeps you healed, keeps you fed, and raises your morale when spirits are low. Do what you are best at, and deep respect to the priests, druids, witches, and shamans. (If there are necromancers around, IM me, I have a few side quests that may be of interest.)
Gregory Gadow
2024-11-09 22:42:39 +0000 UTCThank you both for the added context. Vic makes a good point about the genderbend costumes as an example - I recognize "just existing" for marginalized individuals ends up being politicized, but I want to work towards a future (and do what I can in the meantime) so that people are not marginalized anymore and CAN "just exist" (again, not the most eloquent speaker, but hopefully that makes sense).
Cosplays From Trash
2024-11-09 19:33:38 +0000 UTCHi Vic, same diabled and queer^^ always nice to know not to be alone in the world. And yes, i agree. People say "dont make a fuss out of it".. but its always a topic nearly any releveant talk. only if i adress it directly the peopel would like not to talk about it. And yes excatly, simply beeing nice and welcome queer people is a polictical statement these days. which sucks. because beeing nice to people should not be...
Rabenfeder
2024-11-09 19:13:03 +0000 UTCAnd yet still another great reason why I'm glad to be a subscriber!
Kenny
2024-11-09 19:03:42 +0000 UTCBuilding on that, some people's existence is politicised regardless of what they want for themselves. As a queer disabled person, my words are politicised, my art is politicised, my existence is politicised. Every job interview feels political. I believe Kyle's art is and will be politicised because of his racialised identity and for other reasons — the Rictor costume, the gender-bend costumes — but I appreciate the effort to provide a "fun and quiet" space where we don't *have to* engage in overt political discussion.
Vic Kelly
2024-11-09 17:16:31 +0000 UTCThat's more eloquent than what I wrote - and yeah, apolitical isn't the best term - to your sentiment about being tired, when people are looking for rest and reprieve, CFT will be a safe space for that.
Cosplays From Trash
2024-11-09 16:58:36 +0000 UTCBunch is a strong word. I have some guys that support me cause they like my mission and I don't only post my butt lol.
Cosplays From Trash
2024-11-09 16:47:42 +0000 UTCOkay mixed feelings. Frist of all thank you for being an ally. We need way more straight people how just care. For empathy and understanding is the most important part. I don’t think there is a space that is apolitical. What I take is, that CFT does not actively follow political goals. But just to let queer people live and see them, is a political statement (as sad as this sentence makes me). Creating a save space for all and to rest, is a good idea and I love it. I like the idea of empowerment, using the own privilege to share and lift other, so every voice can be heard on matters of fun, love and peace. But a leader or champion of the community can also be a problem. If you need to fight for your daily life, to fight for your love, to fight just to exist, sometimes does not let you enough energy to be a leader or champion. One of the bitter thoughts in my head is: I have to suffer, other people hate me and harm me, why do I have to endure this and additional fight. I am just tired. Kyle you are in a position that is not normal. Every person that has reach, which has influence, will have to decide how to use this. And silence is a statement. Not speaking out would be agreeing to all the harm. Creating a community always comes with a responsibility. (and yeah, that sucks from time to time) BUT this post is what helps. You don’t need to be the hero. No straight, white, cis (or what ever the old “normal” I called) needs to be. Just be there. At our side, with an open heart and open arms. I think you do the right thing in a world and a time where this is no easy task.
Rabenfeder
2024-11-09 16:43:01 +0000 UTCThank you, Vic.
Cosplays From Trash
2024-11-09 16:38:53 +0000 UTCI really am glad that people are liking the community - we'll have another game night soon!
Cosplays From Trash
2024-11-09 16:37:48 +0000 UTCFirst and foremost, we must take care of ourselves and our emotional and physical wellbeing. If we don't, we won't be in a position to stand up if/when the time comes. This is compared to the airplane analogy, put your gas mask on first, then help the person next to you. So we need to step back from doom and gloom a bit and enjoy what we have now. Also, you have a bunch of straight men here looking at your butt?
Todd Ramsey
2024-11-09 16:10:28 +0000 UTCIt's good to recognise our roles and good to identify how we can support a movement or a community. It's good to recognise which spaces are the right ones for certain discussions or action. I appreciate what you wrote and what you're trying to stand for.
Vic Kelly
2024-11-09 14:26:53 +0000 UTCI just enjoy being a small part of the community
Jerry Pitchford
2024-11-09 13:43:57 +0000 UTCThe very definition of an ally.
Richard Cimino
2024-11-09 11:41:27 +0000 UTCAppreciate the heck out of you. This is a time we need more than ever to have a place to, just for a minute, get away from everything else. Your content is one of the things that breaks up my doom scrolling.
Listless Laconic
2024-11-09 09:02:01 +0000 UTCI got your back Kyle. Well said. Hugs abound.
mmagio .
2024-11-09 08:27:48 +0000 UTCWell said. We should all be human first, and everything else second. I don't know any of you, but yet know that I love all of you.
Eddie Heisser
2024-11-09 08:19:30 +0000 UTC
