This is something that has been addressed to me before and I find that it's time I speak about it openly. I have a major problem with some of the images used on this site. Not because the photography is bad or the content is pornographic (I try to keep it tasteful) but because there are very few variations in body type, skin tone, and race.
All of the photos you see here are from an assortment of gay Tumblrs and image sites. And it says a lot about the gay community and its standards of beauty that a majority of these sites feature white, built, "All-American" looking men. It is a problem not just on these Tumblrs but in our community as well.
I have tried to rectify this issue by making sure men of all backgrounds are featured in the images here. I feel like the couples section probably--and thankfully--has more diversity. In the coming weeks I hope to go back and swap out some of the older images in the zodiac profile posts, many which have been whitewashed for far too long.
Going into this blog I wanted to feature guys of varying body types, but unfortunately this goal was and is still very hard to meet due to the nature of many gay Tumblrs and photo sites. I will keep making concentrated efforts at inclusivity but I also encourage readers to start their own discussions about how we as a community are perpetrating the same old body standards. I also encourage readers to comment below and link me to more image sites that I can draw from, preferably ones with more diverse models and photography.
Don't blame tumblr or "the community". I see lots of images of black/latin/asian dudes because 1.) I actually socialize with a lot. 2.) That's what sexually attracts me. Your social network is a reflection of you and you need to stop pretending that white people don't act like a group. Obliviousness followed by a guilty retraction isn't a working path to diversity. You posted these images because it's what excites you - now you want to change them basically for marketing reasons.
ReplyDeleteWeak sauce.
bless your heart anonymous, bless its frankness and REALNESS
DeleteThat's bullsh*t
DeleteFirst of all, I am always educating myself. I also happen to personally ascribe to the theory of intersectionality. I actively try to engage in dismantling oppression and the reason I put up this particular post was to start a discussion on how I could make this blog a safer and more open space. I actively want to fix this issue as well as call attention to the swathes of Tumblrs out there that continue to ascribe to whitewashed standards of beauty in the gay community. I was not trying to put on an apology or an excuse. I take full responsibility for the images that were put up here--which was three years ago for most of them--and am trying to go back and change what's wrong rather than make an excuse. If you want to be proactive and work with me, then I invite that. I'm still learning, but I want to put my best foot forward and be an ally. Your criticism is well grounded, but it's not going to help if it just calls out something I have already noticed and am trying to fix.
DeleteCan I just say this site is awesome
ReplyDeleteIKR!
DeleteThere are many improvements that could be made to this blog, from a systemic perspective. It's also youth oriented, and for that matter, it's titled "gay boy's guide..." instead of queer or lgbtq.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you are an artist and this is your craft. Your website is charming, and it's charming because it is unapologetically written from your own perspective. That requires a certain level of humility and honesty. Don't lose that!
I guess my point is, good for you for exploring intersectionality and oppression work. Good for you for creating a charming blog. It's all good.
Oh, on tumblr, try these tags:
fat people of color
queer men of color
gay men of color
queer people of color
queer women of color
lesbians of color
qpoc (or similar abbreviations, like tpoc, gpoc, qmoc, etc.)
The list could go on much longer. Find blogs that inspire you, follow them. You should find pictures, but even if you don't, you'll be inspired!
Thank you for your words. This blog is a work in progress and it's changes will reflect my education and further experiences.
Delete