"SHANE HATES OTHER GAY PEOPLE" actually shane co-founded and operates a mental health charity in which he intentionally invites openly LGBT players to coach a children's hockey camp something that would absolutely open him up to a lot of homophobic abuse for doing even though he himself is not out.
I think people who say this about Shane are the same ones who put him so firmly in the “but he’s a jock” box. Shane wouldn’t like gay people because he’s a jock. Shane wouldn’t do skin care because he’s a jock. Shane wouldn’t care about fashion because he’s a jock.
Yes, Shane is a jock. Who said only one thing could shape his personality?
Shane is a jock and he’s gay. He is curious and exploratory with Ilya. He is honest with Rose. He starts an inclusive charity. He supports other queer players and their partners.
Shane is a jock and he’s a Japanese-Canadian man. He has a mother who guides his growth and likely would shape his values for holistic and hygienic health. He prioritizes his appearance as a franchise athlete and individual brand.
Shane is a jock and he’s autistic. He chooses clothes that are comfortable and appropriately fitted to his sensory needs. He seeks out professional styling when he decides to wear things outside of his typical wardrobe because, again, he values his appearance.
His flat affect snd dislike for mandatory social interactions does not mean he hates people. His confusion and internalized homophobia towards himself does not mean he hates gay people. Any of his perceived resistance to interacting with other gay people comes from the pressure he puts on himself and his self-imposed shame.
Shane is a deeply robust and multifaceted character. It is what makes him such a great match for Ilya, his deeply robust and multifaceted counterpart. Shane’s traumas are compartmentalized much differently than Ilya’s, sometimes even unknown to him due his complex processing.
Free Shane and Ilya from the generalizations and oversimplifications.
