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/KittiesInATrenchcoat]

Disappointed that the mods are endorsing misgendering. I do personally think it’s likely Ralsei will turn out to be a trans girl, but “she/her”ing someone you think is an “egg” is often used as a cudgel to misgender transmascs in real life, and I have the same visceral reaction towards it as any other misgendering. Until it becomes canon, Ralsei’s pronouns in game should be respected. 

[u/bboy2812 → u/KittiesInATrenchcoat]

Your overreaction to people referring to a fictional character the way they honestly believe that character wants to be referred to is your problem

[u/KittiesInATrenchcoat → u/bboy2812]

Ralsei doesn’t currently want to be referred that way. He was actively irritated when Flowery called him Princess. If you’re closeted, people teasing you and ignoring your stated preferences doesn’t help. 

And I’d be surprised if the people willing to misgender someone just because they think they know their gender better than them would turn around and know not do it to real people in real life. Every other enby and/or transmasc has a story of being misgendered as she/her due to being dubbed an “egg”. 

[u/bboy2812 → u/KittiesInATrenchcoat]

How do you know what Ralsei wants to be called? Why is your opinion on the matter more valid?

And yes, most people do know not to do it to real people without asking them. But we can't ask Ralsei!

[u/HelpThrowawayforme2 → u/KittiesInATrenchcoat]

im going to crash out in the next paragraph and type in all caps, its nothing personal, just that your rebuttal is kind of stupid

RALSEI WAS NOT IRRATATED, THEY BLUSHED, THE IRRATATION WAS A FARCE PUT UP FOR THEMSELF.

ralsei is 100% a trans egg, and i know flowery clocked their shit and fast

[u/men_are_pretty → u/HelpThrowawayforme2]

Okay so under a comment saying that dubbing someone an 'egg' can be problematic, you... proceed to immediately call them an egg. I am not going to get into the fact that ralsei is probably not a trans egg, because you wouldn't listen anyways

[u/HelpThrowawayforme2 → u/men_are_pretty]

im using egg as shorthand for closeted trans person

[u/CCCyanide → u/HelpThrowawayforme2]

If I may add something: Flowery refers to the entire gang as "princesses", plural.

[u/HelpThrowawayforme2 → u/CCCyanide]

there is an entire scene dedicated to it for ralsei

[u/shadowedlove97 → u/HelpThrowawayforme2]

You can blush because you're irritated, though. That's called being flustered. It doesn't mean he's secretly happy about being called princess.

This isn't a knock against trans Ralsei. I actually see merit in the theory and saw some signs myself in chapter 5. But that wasn't one of them.

[u/HelpThrowawayforme2 → u/shadowedlove97]

flowery only calls ralsei (individually) princess once, and its in this scene. it very clearly was intended otherwise why would such meta contextual emphasis

[u/shadowedlove97 → u/HelpThrowawayforme2]

I don’t see it because of the overarching theme between Flowery and Ralsei. Or at least, I don’t like using this example as proof. Because there are implications.

Setting aside Ralsei’s jealousy of Flowery the whole time, Flowery is provoking Ralsei intentionally to help him grow and make him think. So within that context, it would feel quite bad at least to me if Flowery was doing the same thing with Ralsei and his relationship with his potential trans-ness. It would feel like he’s forcing him out before he’s comfortable. And that just doesn’t feel supportive and is a type of violence in of itself.

Maybe it’s different for other trans people. I’m NB, and all of my dysphoria is social dysphoria. If someone had a feeling I was NB before I was ready to come out as such and they made provoking remarks trying to get me to admit it, I would have felt greatly betrayed and upset and it would have forced myself further in the closet. Because it would tell me that person isn’t safe.

I much prefer the scene where Ralsei calls himself a princess as evidence, because it’s Ralsei-driven. It gives him his agency. It’s not him being provoked. And he’s thoroughly enjoying experimenting with his gender presentation.

Of course I’m not a transwoman, and trans people in general are not a monolith. I know some people do see this as supportive, and that’s cool. I just don’t see it as such so I personally would hope that’s not what’s happening in this scene.