"Love, Simon" Is A New Frontier For Movies, But The World Is Still Not Ready To Accept The Trans Community | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

"Love, Simon" Is A New Frontier For Movies, But The World Is Still Not Ready To Accept The Trans Community

Patronize "Love, Simon" while it is still in theaters, then go support the nearest queer youth center in the same night.

214
"Love, Simon" Is A New Frontier For Movies, But The World Is Still Not Ready To Accept The Trans Community
Chezbeate

When I was coming out, there didn't exist some online "confessions" website for students to just post rumors and gossip anonymously. And truthfully every recent incarnation of anonymous-posting-applications (Yik Yak and Sarahah) tended to have fallen to abuse and discrimination on mass scales. So, when I was sitting in the theater and the film opened up on this visual of a gossip site, I knew that most of this movie was gonna be a bit of fantasy.

And for the most part, I was right. But that is why it was so well received right? I promise that I won't give any spoilers, and this isn't one, but I don't know anyone that goes to as nice of a school and that lives in as nice of a neighborhood as the main character lived in. I mean, talk about upper-middle class.

So if most of this movie was this sort of futuristic, fantastical representation of being queer (really, gay) in America... why was I sobbing in the theater? Probably for the same reason that so many women have sobbed while watching "The Notebook" or "The Lucky One" or that one with Channing Tatum where Rachel McAdams loses her memory. More or less, because it presented this unobtainable standard for monogamous love, acceptance, and affection.

Now, where do we go from here? "Love, Simon" is arguably the first movie of its kind, a homo-romance drama that centers on the real issues surrounding coming out, being in "the closet," and the lengths that queer folx who are grappling with these feelings are forced to go to in order to protect themselves. And generally, when "the first" of anything comes out, it's a milestone for achievement, progress, acceptance.

But I –– a college-age queer that has been far removed from "the closet" –– am not really feeling any of that.

Without a doubt, we are living in a post-"Love, Simon" society. One that has proclaimed it is time that we tell younger generations that they are allowed to dream of their perfect future out loud. And that is a really great realization to make.

Had I seen this movie at 12 years old, my coming out (less than a year later) would have been so much healthier. I'm so excited that I'm alive during this milestone.

As much as this is a milestone for achievement, progress, acceptance, the rest of the world should remember that trans folx are still being killed just for being trans. Discrimination is still happening en masse to queer people, and "Love, Simon" isn't a reason to put down our protest signs and not learn the true and accurate history of Queer Rights.

Patronize "Love, Simon" while it is still in theaters. Support this amazing cinematic representation, then take yourself –– and whoever you go to see it with –– to the nearest queer youth center and support them. Don't forget why this movie was made possible, because they sure as hell didn't wake up one morning and just go, "oh yeah, now we can make this movie because everyone loves a good gay person."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

484333
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

363065
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments