It's a sociocultural trap!

[seiberwing]

Am I the only one who gets pissed off at this sort of thing? Putting aside the fact that The Gay is not allowed in the TF:Mosaic project (with, apparently, exceptions made for humor), I find it rather insulting to continually insinuate that the sudden discovery that the object of your lusts is actually a male is horrifying. Double points if they turn around and start hitting on you. It's an incredibly stale joke that has overtones of homophobia that I'm just not comfortable with. Note the comments below the comic as well--this situation is regarded as awkward or just flat-out wrong. There's even a few crossdresser jokes thrown in for good measure.

Does that mean the writer and artist of this comic are homophobic? Certainly not. They're just going with a lowest common denominator joke, much like like the guy who did the Erector penis size joke last week. But stop for a moment and think about exactly why it's funny. You have one or more males participating in a manly heterosexual activity, lusting over or trying to attract a female. Then the "trap" is exposed, revealing that the male(s) have actually been participating in a homosexual activity by catcalling another male. This is found to be hilarious to the audience and humiliating to the male(s) involved. I'm not sure if it even works the same way for a reverse-trap, a female mistaken for a male by another female, but if it is the degree of humiliation is far less.

In short, the Transformers fandom really needs to get its act together.

EDIT: Seems the ones responsible have posted in their thoughts on the comic.

Josh van Reyk, writer: Definitely not the case here. I just thought it would be funny if the Constructicons were hitting on a car, that; A) Was actually a Transformer, and B) Was a male Transformer.

Those good ‘ole boys would surely freak-out if that ever happened.

The Stunticons are just giving them a little grief, there are no hidden under-tones here.

Apologies if anyone took offence to this, it certainly wasn’t intended.

Ninjha, artist: Definitely! After reading all the comments and stuff, we had no idea this would be so controversial. Even while drawing it I thought of it as just a gag. I made sure the guns were powering up and stuff. The Stunticons were just supposed to scare them off, THATS IT. There is no reading into this, no hidden message, it is what you see.

Yes, well, while I see an alternative explanation that the Stunticon's violent approach could have been the trigger as opposed to their revealed gender, Mr. van Reyk seems to indicate otherwise. I honestly can't be arsed to go in and argue with them, but I'd say the intent on the writer's part is pretty obvious. Accidental gay is terrifying.

Comments

[lonescorpion.livejournal.com]

Seiber, I understand where you're coming from (I think), but consider the number of guys who have tried to hit on me in real life and double took when they realised I'm not a chick; each and every time I find it absolutely hilarious. I love it. I don't find it offensive, I find it complimentary to my stunning good looks ^_^

So if we can laugh about it in real life, why not in the comics too?

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

There's a comical double take and then there's the violent and fearful reaction displayed by the Constructicons. It's different.

[dogbite12.livejournal.com]

A lot of males in this fandom have issues with sex and sexuality.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

Well, for every group someone's got to justify the basement dweller stereotype.

[dogbite12.livejournal.com]

Ironically, I don't believe the writer was deliberately homophobic, he was just clueless about how it came across.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

Me neither, it's just more a commentary on the stupidity of our culture that people think this is lulzy.

[dogbite12.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I put up a video of my Sims 2 game and occasionally I get comments like "OMG two dudes kissing, SO WRONG!" I'm tired of explaining the game doesn't care and that's what happens when all your Transformers are males-I just ignore those.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

Western society sucks, in some respects.

[dogbite12.livejournal.com]

Lots of weirdness about sex, yes.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

And gender norms/preferences.

[dogbite12.livejournal.com]

That goes along with it.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

True.

[lonescorpion.livejournal.com]

It looked to me like they'd just cranked up the "OMG RUN AWAY" reaction to 11 for comic effect. That's not violent or fearful - it's flailful. At least, that's what I got out of it.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

Well, they look pretty damn scared to me.

DUDE WTF

[(Anonymous)]

I am horribly offended by your "not a rapist" avatar, as it contains humor. Transformers is a very complex, intelligent canon that is deeply rooted in lore and myth. To associate a joke involving rape with a Transformer is no different than making a joke concerning homosexuality and Transformers - they both deserve equal footing as very serious, very concerning, very deep, important issues that should be UTTERLY devoid of comedy.

Re: DUDE WTF

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

Is there humor in this icon? I see no humor. It is a commentary on Scourge's portrayal in fanfiction as an overly sadistic rapist, which he is obviously not. The picture chosen serves as an ironic contrast to the text, demonstrating that while he may appear menacing at times his sadism does not extend to sexual violation of his companions.

Re: DUDE WTF

[(Anonymous)]

lol ur gay

Re: DUDE WTF

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

Bisexual, actually.

Also, I think you've failed your "Detect Sarcasm" roll.

[(Anonymous)]

Are you sure you're not at a gay bar, where they hit on you thinking you're a man and then realize you're crazy ugly?