on queer representation, censorship, and allowing for all opinions about it in ghosts AS A QUEER PERSON-
representation does not exist as a set form. it is widely varied and often multiple forms exist at once; the forms taking turns, fading in and out, do not negate the existence of the other forms taking place. the lack of nigel in season 5 of ghosts does NOT mean that there is no queer rep or that it is bad. nor does it mean it is censorship.
censorship is a very real and serious thing, and when we throw that word around just because a ship is no longer together it diminishes the actual conversations we could have about how representation could be better. ex: nisaac breaking up is not censorship, however, i do think there could have been more than one kiss for the couple considering they were engaged.
claiming the lack of nisaac is censorship does not take into account the fact that nisaac broke up because isaac lusted after another man; going back to my original point- representation exists in many forms. ghosts having its gay character show explicit and unfiltered lust for another man is also queer rep. it’s blatant, it’s real, it’s adult. representation is providing examples of real people as they are; lust and being messy and toxic and regretting it are all things real adults experience or go through, That is also important representation because it’s relatable. it is also not censorship to have isaac have a character arc that is not centered around nigel, which naturally lessens the chances for nigel to appear because, yes this is said a lot but it’s the Reality, there are only 22 minutes an episode and this is a sitcom. it is not the nisaac nor isaac show and sometimes time just doesn’t allow (trust me i would personally love for it to be the hetty show but it’s not). as a queer person, i loved that isaac’s storyline was something completely new this season, because ~I~ feel like when a queer character’s storylines and arcs only center their relationship then it becomes pandering (i know it’s not “only” i am being hyperbolic).
and just because queer rep is important does not mean that the rep for others isn’t as well; the show feeling “straight” fails to remember that there is important representation in the fact that alberta, a black woman, and sasappis, an indigenous man, were rightfully given opportunities to explore romance and relationships this season after not having them up until the end of season 4.
and then, i am going to be that bitch, this is a sitcom. not only is it a sitcom, it is an american sitcom on cbs where the MAJORITY audience is middle america. they are not online, they are “average” families, and for ghosts to, again, show explicit queer lust is actually huge. also, isaac being gay isnt just pushed aside or not shown any love; the christmas special’s emotional thread Was isaac being proud to be gay (as it is explicitly said by sam) and how the world in which he is not is Wrong.
i am not trying to downplay anyone’s feelings and frustrations. cause like look, i cried over trevor kissing patience lmao, but as i said before i think it’s important to hear multiple opinions and not let one opinion exist as a monolith. and, i hope that it can give some people some hope back because i think when you exist in an echo chamber of only one opinion then it’s easier to just spiral and doom about it.
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