#everett rants

[mapleglazedpeaches]

WAOUHGH. WHAT HAPPENED TO MY DASHBOARD

[chartreuseorigami]

If college has taught me one thing, it’s that there are three types of scientists:

(1) batshit crazy

(2) sad

(3) geology

[chartreuseorigami-fandoms]

Steve Jinks and Casual LGBTQ+ Representation

Strap in kids, this is gonna be a long one.

Now, before I begin, I’m going to say that if anyone has differing opinions or things to add, I would absolutely love to have a conversation! I’ll admit, I haven’t seen the show in probably 5-6 years, so there is a great likelihood I am misremembering, misinterpreting, or misportraying things (as well as not saying things exactly how I intend to). I’m also not saying that Warehouse 13 did a perfect job with this character or his representation, or with LGBTQ+ representation as a whole—if you’ve been part of the fandom at all, you know that we have all agreed to ignore the cannon pairing of Myka/Pete in favor of the much superior and character compliant duo of Bering and Wells (who even Joanne Kelly has admitted to playing up and reading as a romantic interest). That being said, I’ve been thinking a lot about LGBTQ+ representation in media, and particularly the importance of including both characters whose sexuality/ gender identity play a large role in their identity/development, as well as characters who are just casually representative.

Okay, so if you don’t know, this is Steve Jinks from Warehouse 13:

He is gay and, I think, a great example of casual gay representation in media.

It is never hidden that he is gay but also never made into a big deal. First, his coming out scene isn’t a big revelation or profession. It happens pretty early on when he starts working with Claudia and she thinks he’s hitting on her and is trying to turn him down when he abruptly corrects her rambling with “I’m not hitting on you, I’m gay!” Her reaction to this is mostly embarrassment at her rambling and a (yes, mildly stereotypical) comment about never having had a gay friend before (but, again, mostly a product of her embarrassment and continuation of earlier anxious rambling). She is extremely accepting and casual about it and it doesn’t become a big deal. Steve’s declaration might have been a bit forceful and annoyed, as if he didn’t want to reveal it, but I think that that mostly stems from his professionalism. He doesn’t reveal his sexuality until it’s mislabeled because he doesn’t think it’s anyone’s business, particularly at work. On the whole, however, he is comfortable and confident in his identity.

Next, his character. When thinking about Steve’s character, the fact that he is gay is pretty far down on the list of things that first come to mind. The first things you probably think about is the fact that he’s a human lie detector, ATF agent turned Warehouse agent, his friendship with Claudia, the fact that he’s Buddhist—which plays a very large role in his morals and defining moment with the Warehouse—, struggling with the loss of his sister and the way that impacted his career decisions, along with his need to both protect Claudia—as he sees his sister in her—and his need to be protected by her, as well as the sacrifices he made for the Warehouse. He is a layered character who has development, relationships, and storylines completely apart from his sexuality.

He is a competent, intelligent, and highly trained character who isn’t just used as a token, but as a productive member of the team. He may be a part of the so called “B team,” or “second A team” as Claudia corrected, and not have the same importance as the more central characters, but he isn’t just used to further the development of others or as a token gay character. He could have just been written off as Claudia’s “gay best friend,” but instead he has his own developmental story lines (such as the metronome storyline and his relationship with his mom) and adds another layer to the team that is centered on his skills and personality, not just his sexuality (even if his friendship with Claudia is a central part of his character’s role).

He is not a stereotypical gay character, but also he doesn’t shy away from some “stereotypical” behaviors as if they are bad. I think sometimes show creators run into trouble in portraying LGBTQ+ characters on that they either rely completely on stereotypes, or try to create a completely non-stereotypical character, but do it in a way that implies that stereotypical behavior is inherently bad. On the whole, Steve is a very non-stereotypical gay man. At the same time, however—similar to Raymond Holt from B99—he will still sometimes use “stereotypical” phrases or actions. It’s never in a mocking way, but rather another facet of his personality and fits in casually with his more non-stereotypical attributes. It is a way for him to be both a non-stereotypical gay man, but also not implicitly imply that stereotypical verbiage or actions are “bad.”

Along that same vein, while Steve’s sexuality in no way makes up the majority of his character arc, it’s not a forgotten part of him. Like I said earlier, it’s not hidden. He’ll make jokes or references—like when he tells Sally that even if he wasn’t gay, she would turn him off of women or the running joke about people asking him if he watches Revenge—and there are plot points that revolve around his sexuality to some degree. For example, when they end up working with his ex, we learn more about his relationships and the two of them have a discussion that many couples or people can relate to, regardless of sexuality, when he says “if I can’t make it work with you, then I don’t know if I can make it work with anyone.” We get to see a little bit of his romantic past, his approach to relationships, and understand another layer of his character. It’s a portrayal of a(n ex) gay couple who faced very real challenges that aren’t overly construed (like the problems of many gay couples in media are) and discuss it in a healthy manner, even if it doesn’t result in a reconciliatory ending. In addition, tying back to my earlier comments about “stereotypical” behavior, in the episode where Steve’s personality gets split, we see his professional side and his party side. His professional side reflects the serious and organized attributes that we frequently see of him, while his party side calls back to his more flamboyant characteristics, as well as his days in a frat. These two sides, while very different, however, are both very fitting and not of him. Neither is out of character as they are both just extremes of his personality. We might not see him this flamboyant often, however we also don’t see him this serious that often. Instead, each aspect of his personality works together to create one whole person, and you can see that here. They are in disagreement with each other, not because Steve thinks poorly of more “stereotypically gay” behavior, but because his professional side is annoyed with the nonchalance of the other side, and the other side considers the more serious side a buzzkill. Now, this could be interpreted as implying that you can’t be both flamboyant and professional, but I would disagree. Steve doesn’t become less gay in his professional side, but instead all aspects of his personality are more tightly reigned in. His “party” side also isn’t less competent. He is still a highly skilled agent (he literally profiles someone in twenty seconds flat), he is just letting himself relax more away from his typical straight-laced demeanor.

All in all, I think he’s just a really good example of a casually gay character.

The majority of his development and characterization does not relate to his sexuality and doesn’t rely on stereotypes, but his sexuality is also not forgotten.

Also his relationship with Claudia is my ultimate broTP.

[mapleglazedpeaches]

the internet is so big

like.

i will ignore this fact, hello my like, 6 mutuals

[chartreuseorigami]

Shoutout to all my fellow members of the class of 2020 for being able to sum up our high school experience as “Trump to Coronavirus”

[chartreuseorigami]

Whenever I tell people what my favorite genre of music is, what I really mean is just “whatever type of music Bastille is making right now”

[chartreuseorigami]

The best way to make actual effective change is to place the people who are experiencing the issue in positions of power where they are then able to address the issue.

[chartreuseorigami]

I told my little sister I’m questioning my sexuality and she just said “what’s the point of stressing, it’s not like you’ll ever get any either way” and I’ve never heard something so rude yet so reassuring at the same time