I don’t know if you’ll ever see or read this. Part of me hopes you will.
I fell in love with Vizi’s art with the “Die Young” animation. I’ve been a supporter of Hazbin since I first saw the clips years ago. I was on the patreon for it for a while. I knew NOTHING of the other issues people have until recently. I am also a gay transman.
To me, simple words are cheap. Words alone mean nothing. An irate “apology” means less.
What has meaning is watching the pilot episode of Hazbin, which I had been eagerly anticipating for years, and feeling physically ill and absolutely disgusted by what I saw and heard.
You say you are not transphobic. Then why did you create Angel? Why have you cast him in the light that you have? His mannerism, dress, and line of work are all subjects of near constant ridicule. His masculinity is constantly stomped and mocked. You make him out to be something disgusting.
“I don’t shake hands with the gays..”
What made you think that line was a good idea? I don’t care if the one who said it was an antagonist, it was said. Someone approved that line. You do realize there are people who have actually dealt with that kind of thing in person, yes? Did you think it would be okay to remind them?
After watching the first episode, I felt like the entire newsroom looked when Charlie finished her song. Open mouthed, shocked, and utterly disbelieving what I had just witnessed. For every good thing you did, you countered it with 10 bad things.
You said don’t judge you for your past. I am judging you for your present. I’m judging you for what you and your team put your stamp of approval on and said “yeah this is a good idea.” Comedy is one thing. Comedy at the expense of those still desperately fighting for the right to be human is not.
I have actively been discouraging people I know from watching the pilot, because I want to spare them the horrible feelings I had watching it. The colours are vibrant, the animation is amazing and very enjoyable to look at. The voice work and music is all on point.
But what stuck with me were the ideas presented. People who cross dress are weird. Gay men only want to fuck you. Sex workers are gross. Porn is gross. Women need men to help them. Lesbians hate men.
I cannot tell you how much I wanted to love Hazbin. When you introduced Alastor, I was in love. After I watched it, I felt i had been slapped in the face. I contributed to something that made me feel disgusting.
So yes. Let’s forget the past. Let’s look at the present. All of those things you said you are not, you still appear to be.
