Original DA Upload Date: June 22, 2021
The second of three LGBTQIA-themed artworks I have for this month. This one featuring bonding between the two LGBTQIA members of the Tetrad, Gilda (aro) and April (lesbian)!
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You’ve probably seen the most recent edit of the pride flag, the one that drag queen Nina West sung about for a Nick Jr. video about the pride flag. And if you’ve seen it, or even done research on the LGBT flag itself, you know what all the colors mean. Red is life, orange is healing, yellow is sunlight, green is nature, blue is harmony, purple is spirit, light blue, pink, and white represent the trans community, and black and brown represent ethnic minorities in the LGBTQIA community. Personally, though, I think there should also be gray, for asexuals and aromantics such as myself. I’ve known I was aromantic since 2018, after falling out of love with my ex-girlfriend. And then after thinking back, the only reason I wanted a girlfriend was because I assumed everyone in high school had one. I still consider myself heterosexual, I know a hot woman when I see one. But the romance part of attraction, I now find to be stupid. In fact, hearing my parents argue all the time, ever since I was a kid, I think I always did.
“What people call ‘love’ is just a chemical reaction that compels animals to breed. It hits hard, then it slowly fades, leaving you stranded in a failing marriage.”
– Justin Roiland/Rick Sanchez
But back to the point about aro and ace people.
The ‘A’ in LGBTQIA has many interpretations, some say it stands for ‘allies’, others say ‘asexuals’. Personally though, I think it should stand for ‘aroace’. It may not be attraction to the same gender… or any attraction at all, but it is different from the societal norm of heterosexuality and being in love. And of course, aroace isn’t exclusive. Well, it is. But that’s where the Venn diagram intersects. Not every aromantic is asexual, and vice versa. I myself am an aromantic who isn’t asexual. But I still fall under the aroace umbrella, hetero or no. And so do you if that describes you.
Also, why gray to represent aroace people on a pride flag including the aroace? Because there are gray stripes on both the aromantic and asexual flags, and aroace flags in general use pastel/faded colors immediately after and preceding the more vibrant hues. Plus, the straight ally flag is black and white (with an A-shaped rainbow), and also it makes sense to me that, if difference in romantic and/or sexual orientation is represented by color, a lack of orientation is represented by a lack of color. Especially with pure black and pure white being taken by the allies on their flag, and by LGBTQIA ethnic minorities and trans people respectively on the 11-color pride flag.
Now to the artwork!
There hasn’t been enough bonding between Gilda and April other than that time they went glove shopping. So I decided, since it’s Pride Month and these two are canonically LGBTQIA, I should draw them bonding! A sleepover between just the two of them, as they watch a movie and eat popcorn that April made herself. Which movie? I say they’re watching True Stories, the Talking Heads’ movie from 1986. Since Gilda loves 80s stuff like the Talking Heads and April is Scottish like their lead singer David Byrne, I imagine it’s their special movie.
Nothing much production-wise with the artwork, except that I added the lesbian and aromantic pride flags behind April and Gilda respectively. Funny enough, Gilda usually wears the colors of the aro pride flag, in top-to-bottom order no less (minus the skirt). Dark green hair ribbons, light green polo, white socks, silver buckles, black shoes. She’s a walking aro pride flag! I didn’t even intend it that way, it was a mere coincidence. The only reason I decided to make Gilda aro in the first place is because I am myself.
Anyhoo, that’ll be all for this one. It’s June 23rd tomorrow, and you know what that means! The 30th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog. But you know what that also means! Margo’s birthday! Happy both anniversaries tomorrow!
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Grunvale is owned by me. You’re free to draw fanart of it, as long as you link me to it.
The modern iteration of the lesbian pride flag is in the public domain. But it was designed by Emily Gwen, so I’m going to credit her because it’s the right thing to do.
The aro pride flag is designed by Tumblr user cameronwhimsy.
This artwork was made at a resolution of 5076×2160 (aspect ratio 2.35:1).
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I found out while writing this that David Byrne is on the autism spectrum. More reason for Gilda to love her! At this point, I think I’ll also make David Byrne her personal favorite musician. James Taylor is her least favorite and David Byrne is her favorite! Perfect yin and yang.
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