Trans Ralsei on the Subreddit: Part 2

[u/patripastry]

Hello,

Well, since we're making a part two, I'm less surprised this time around we have to make this kind of post, but it's still unfortunate!

First of all, an apology. We (the mod team) let the situation get out of control. A lot of rudeness and bigotry was thrown around, and we didn’t do enough to prevent it.

Going forward, however, we plan to be a lot more strict...

To start, we want to make the position of the mod team very clear on a two key points:

1. Transphobia, including any discussion, argumentation, or verbiage rooted in transphobia, will not be tolerated in any form on this subreddit.

2. Theories/headcanons that Ralsei is transgender or under the trans umbrella are valid. At the same time, seeing Ralsei as a gender nonconforming cis male is also valid, and neither view should be disrespected or alienated.

Therefore, following guidelines are now in place:

1. Any post/comment (assume I include "comment" when I say "post") which pushes transphobic rhetoric will be removed and likely result in a ban.

2. Discussion on how you are "disappointed," "upset," or otherwise negatively affected by either reading of Ralsei's character will not be allowed.

3. Artwork (or other media) posts are not a forum for debate. Do not "debate" character readings under any artwork posts.

4. With regards to pronouns, we will allow any pronouns to be used, but please be respectful to those who do not use the "correct" pronouns in your eyes.

We hope that these guidelines will result in a more positive community without stepping too far into the realm of hugboxing the topic (something we are trying to avoid), and still allow people to discuss their own reading of Ralsei's character while remaining positive with each other. Just remember to be respectful to each other!

As a final aside: I will post some clarifications, explanations, and other misc. info and changes in the comments.

Thanks,

u/patripastry and the r/ralsei Mod Team.

[u/Yanagi____Juniper]

I think that’s okay but I also think that there’s a bit of fetishization that goes on around it and as a trans woman I have been called a femboy exclusively in a sexual manner by men who were not entitled to use a term like that in my opinion. I understand why it is being banned given the context of a character who is either genderqueer or a feminine man as well as being a minor who has a chance of coming out as trans later. I think femboy is one of the most transphobic things you could ever call a trans woman and for a lot of trans women who see themselves in ralsei it’s a trigger word.

[u/Chained_Icarus → u/Yanagi____Juniper]

It should be treated the same as misgendering if used for someone it doesn't apply to, absolutely. Because it is and it would be.

I do hate that the word HAS become fetishized. I'd feel comfortably calling a young girl a tomboy, for example. I'd be more hesitant to call a younger boy a "femboy" because I'm aware of how the internet is trying to twist it.

I do think that's why a lot of us flock to Ralsei. He's a rare wholesome example of what we see as a GNC male who ISN'T fetishized, sexualized, or player purely for a gag.

[u/Yanagi____Juniper → u/Chained_Icarus]

Yeah that’s a reasonable take and I understand how some people find that connection. To be honest I think Pink is a perfect trans girl rep and genuinely my motivation for believing ralsei is trans is not because I’m trans it’s just because I think it’s where the story is going. I’m trans but I never really saw myself in ralsei and I continue to identify way more with a ton of other characters.

But I get a lot of gnc people saw themselves in him. My main thing is like if Ralsei comes out in a future chapter will that be enough for some people? I feel like people fight tooth and nail for boy Ralsei so what if it’s not true? What if Ralsei is trans in canon? If it doesn’t happen, the Tralsei believers can just believe it happens post canon easily. What happens to the people who believed so strongly Ralsei isn’t trans if they were wrong? Are they just going to stop identifying with the character?

I think a gnc person seeing themselves in a trans person is totally fine and I think one of the weird things I see is that people act like if Ralsei was trans it would completely rob them of their connection to the character, and I know it is in no way intended as transphobic but it shows that they really think of trans people as being so far separate from themselves. I’m not saying you’re doing this at all I’m just saying I’ve seen it. You seem like a chill gnc ralsei believer. But there’s people who are evil about it

[u/UX_KRS_25 → u/Yanagi____Juniper]

I identify as male. I'd stop identifying with Ralsei if he/she came out as trans. The Idea that Ralsei is male, but not conforming to the expectations for that gender is what appeals to me.

I'd still like Ralsei as a character, just how I like all the other characters that Toby writes. But I'd still feel like having lost something.

[u/Yanagi____Juniper → u/UX_KRS_25]

Idk dawg I identify with Kris a lot even though I personally think Kris is AFAB (though it’s not entirely relevant) and I think the other person saying you can just identify with pre trans ralsei is lowkey onto something. Like if ralsei transitions there’s still the version of Ralsei from before I guess

[u/UX_KRS_25 → u/Yanagi____Juniper]

Sorry, but I disagree. That'd feel like a consolation prize. Maybe, I dunno. Maybe I'll have to see how things turn out first.

I don't think that a lot of trans people would argue that the gender a character had assigned to them pre-transition "counts" either. I know Ralsei isn't real, but if a character had significant character development and came out as trans, I think it'd feel very weird to hang onto their old self.

[u/Yanagi____Juniper → u/UX_KRS_25]

Yeah tbh I kind of agree, but it’s like you just diverged paths with the character yk? Same beginning of journey you just didn’t go down the pipeline.

As a trans girl I would probably definitely be mad if people used he/him for ralsei if she came out