Allow me to explain my dislike of gemsonas, at least as far as fandom is concerned.
1) I understand, and agree with, the assertion that there is nothing inherently wrong with the creation of gemsonas. What bothers me, and other fans that I have conversed with, is the fact that people are using these creations to try and Bronify (it was the only adjective that I could think of). What I mean when I say this is that people are using their gemsonas to oversexualize and overanalyze a CHILDREN’S SHOW.
2) This next portion of my rant may come across as a little privileged. I mean everything I say, and I am sorry if this offends/triggers you: identifying as a gem (in terms of otherkin or other such body-dysphoria related ideals) literally makes no sense. I say this because, even though I think furries are hella weird, they still identify with a creature that is living, whether this creature is fictional or not. They can maintain some semblance of actionable self. Gems, unless they are infused with magic, as in the show, are inert, powerless, and lack the necessary computing power to do anything but sit their. Most furries or otherkin don’t believe in the actuality of magic and, those that do in any way other than a passing fancy, are generally shunned by all groups.
3) As adults we have a responsibility towards children. While the show itself touches on a lot of forward thinking topics (go Steven Universe!), it is designed and aimed towards younger audiences. STOP USING IT AS A SOAPBOX FOR YOUR POLITICAL AGENDA!
Basically, if you have a gem that you personally think that you, either superficially or actually identify with, that’s cool. Stop bronifying it, leave the megaphone at home and, for the love of god, stop trying to apply it to body-dysphoria. This last one is important because, when people try to apply gemsonas to body-dysphoria, it steals the attention away from people who actually have body-dysphoria issues. I understand that the unspoken assertion here is that I don’t agree with gemsonas as a way of dealing with body-dysphoria. That is absolutely the case. While I do think that, for some people this may possibly be the case (I would have to understand it a hella lot better), I feel like most people are using it as a way of trying to get attention for themselves via the fact that tumblr is sort of the Island of mMisfit Toys of the Internet (which I proudly claim as my home, by the way.) where they know that they can have their opinion be heard if they scream the words “YOU’RE TRIGGERING ME” loud enough.
In short, being a fan, and having a personalized gem that “is supposed to be you, IF you were a gem” is okay. Trying to overanalyze, oversexualize, and overpoliticize a children’s show is not.
