Linky.

[nenena]

In case anybody was still wondering why it's really important to have positive portrayals of gay, lesbian, transgender, and queer characters in fictional media:

Here's why.

The comments are beautiful, too.

Edited: Post is locked to sailormoonfans, sorry. But basically it's a bunch of people talking about how watching Haruka and Michiru made them start challenging (sometimes their own ingrained) heterosexism, and the OP also makes the connection between the Starlights and not being freaked out the first time that she met a transitioning person, too.

Comments

[neocloud9.livejournal.com]

Haruka and Michiru were definitely my first same-sex OTP. I'd just never considered it before...

[broccoman.livejournal.com]

You need all portrayals. Having just positive portrayals leads to a stereotype of its own. (think "noble savage")

[nenena.livejournal.com]

"Positive portrayals" is lingo for realistic characters, including good and bad traits.

"Noble savage" is not a positive portrayal and never was.

[broccoman.livejournal.com]

Yep, I thought that was what you were getting it.

I think we're probably thinking the same thing, just saying it differently.

[miss-breeziness.livejournal.com]

I personally like shows and books where gay people are just "a fact of life". I've read Card Captor Sakura too, and I liked the way Syaoran's initial "crush" on Yukito was handled as no more or less normal than if a girl had a crush on him.