Being a 2017 and 2018 Phannie was a lot of fun. I’m not denying that because it really was. The gaming vids, baking videos, PINOF, ii, the liveshows- it was all fucking amazing! I loved all of it. Dan and Phil were open with us (to a point) and they were doing the things they loved.
But you know what? I’m so glad that I’m a 2020 Phannie. Because this is the true Dan and Phil. They came out a year ago, both of them now being open with their sexuality, Dan going on to being the star of Attitude, a Gay magazine!! He’s writing a book. A book. On mental health, which will include him talking about his own struggles. (More on these in a bit)
Now, the Phandom in general I think doesn’t focus on Phil as much when it come to them coming out, but let’s look at it like this: the guy fucking struggles with social anxiety, we’ve heard it from both of them. So to come out to millions of people, having articles written about and your best friend of coming out, people judging you; it must have been so hard. And now look at him! He’s making gay ass jokes in every video, making gay jokes with Dan! So I’m so proud.
Now, back to Dan’s magazine articles and book. Ever since Dan started talking about his struggles with depression he’s be working with YoungMinds and doing talks and articles and all that stuff. But writing a book on it? Do you think any of us would’ve seen that coming in say, 2017? No, probably not. But look at him now!! As for the Attitude article, he talked about his experiences growing up Queer in a… not great environment. He talked about how people (not the Phandom, although some people did I suspect.) would inquire on his sex life and stuff. He also went as far as say (and I quote) “We’re best friends, arch enemies, husbands, business partners, partners in crime, soul mates, just mates, who the fuck knows?…” HUSBANDS. You’re telling me, that Daniel Howell felt comfortable enough to say husbands? Keep it up Dan, we’re so proud.
So yeah, being a Phannie in 2017 and 2018 was fun, but would I trade it for these things? No. No I don’t think I would.
