One time back in 1991, a boyfriend of mine and I were holding hands as we were walking on the street at night in San Francisco, and we were spotted by a carload of Navy guys on leave during Fleet Week. They jumped out of the car and rushed over to us, then they beat us both into the sidewalk. Both of us got some minor bone fractures and other injuries. Sometimes when you are LGBTQIA+, public displays of affection can be life-threatening.
I wanted to add my thoughts on the how parents can discuss gender identity and different sexualities with their children… I’m in my mid-40s, so am probably a similar age to you both. I have 3 boys (14, 10 and 6 years old). In raising our boys we have always intentionally steered away from heteronormative assumptions when discussing any future romantic partners they might have. Heartstopper has been an absolute gift to us as parents, as we finally have a show that has queer representation pitched in a way that I can watch it with my older two boys, and we can discuss the issues it raises. It deals with discovering your sexuality (and that it’s okay to take time to figure things out), owning your sexuality, embracing differences, standing up against queer phobia and just the sheer joy of finding your “tribe”. It models examples of great communication, as well as looking at consent in relationships (and what qualifies as sexual assault). It also shows some great examples of parents doing it right (and others who just aren’t). Heartstopper enabled my 10 year old to recognise homophobic “banter” at school recently, and gave him the courage to call it out (and then report it to school staff). Kids these days have access to nuanced language and labels to describe their sexuality in a way that we never did in the 90s… As adults, it’s so important that we show our kids that it’s okay to talk about our sexuality and gender identity/expression. They should know that they can ask anything, and if we don’t know the answer, that we’ll help them find it. With so much access to technology these days, our children can find so much information online - what they need us to help them with is judging whether that information is from credible sources, and to spot and misinformation. Ultimately communication is key. Communicating with us,
In 1994 I was out in High School 1997 I graduated. A year later the students had a GSA. One of the members that started it said I was the inspiration for them doing it. In 2010 the student that had started it thanked me for saving himself from committing suicide.
It's great to hear that your openness inspired someone to create a safe space for students to gather and ultimately saved his life. We didn't have a GSA when I was in High School, but after graduation I did try to get involved in groups whenever I could (Youth Groups, Volunteer Work, College Organizations). -GV
The hyper vigilance when kissing in a public setting with a same sex person can be a matter of life and death. |n GV story it's only a $50 fine, in many cases you get beaten up or lynched. While I appreciate SV's kindness, compassion and openness in these matters, I feel like he might not fully comprehend how dangerous living authentically as LGBTQ+ can be, because he would never do something like that and can't imagine how evil the world can be. I wish more people in he world were like him, but that is not the world we live in.
Absolutely! I don’t think that cis-gender, heterosexual people can truly appreciate the constant hyper-vigilance that we experience as a queer community.
Gah, dying because S3 is so close to dropping but not here yet. This was a really welcome diversion. Loved that SV got so into Heartstopper after being forced to suffer through the first few episodes. Reacting to things that are against your type is the heart of reaction channels, it’s so glorious seeing someone’s mind open to new/different things. And of course you two have a unique dynamic because you are deliberately opening up in front of camera about two very different life experiences, despite sharing so many other life experiences and tastes. I shall be mischievous and mention a lot of straight men have gotten RUclips mileage out of reacting to the Romance genre Bridgerton limited series, and a lot of gay men have gotten some very different mileage out of having the pleasure of sharing Bridgerton with us. (Hot people are HOT) I know you already have suggestions out the wazoo, so I shall not expect it of you. It’s got a very upsetting episode 6 in Season 1 that I think you two could chew over. Book fans were expecting the story to be changed, but we learned that Shondaland likes DRAMA, icky nasty drama, even in a fairytale alt-history world. Maybe they created that sense of fairy tale safety then pulled the rug on purpose to create a controversy that would go viral? You can see Heartstopper and Red, White, and Royal Blue went just as huge by fueling an addiction to happiness and an enduring contract to create a safe space. Not that either shy away from serious difficulty and problems, but we know we’re getting a happy ending, and a lot of emotional cushioning in the way of happiness along the way. Whereas Bridgerton really tortures its poor characters before they get their HEA (Happy Ever After) You really could have 2 hour convos (sorry, I’m Australian, I meant conversations) on the stuff brought up by the questions today. I’m sorry you both have had to endure some all encompassing oppressions (bullying, homophobia, emotional deprivation for straight men). It makes me very sad. Australia is perhaps a little bit better for us overall than the average in the USA, but not nearly as phobic free as it needs to be. There’s very much areas that are really queer friendly, and some suburbs and a lot of the regions that are still very unsafe or uncomfortable to be out. I believe Millenials have made the world a better place for straight and queer people, especially for Gen Z and Alpha. Although their economic situation is overall very very grim for them, I have a lot of hope for them being able to be more authentically themselves, including straight guys getting to own their emotions and have them validated. it was so interesting you are both still learning new things about each other. I am so ready for new Heartstopper happiness.
SV: I can't believe you liked NOTHING about the soundtrack for Season 1! I recommend you give Chloe Moriando's track "I Want To Be With You" another listen! And GV: I'm a track repeater too! And I love Maggie Rogers!
![[GVSV Reacts Ep011] Straight Veteran watches Heartstopper S2E2 for the First Time](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OwToOBOG1aw/mqdefault.jpg)
![[GVSV Reacts Ep011] Straight Veteran watches Heartstopper S2E2 for the First Time](/img/tr.png)
![[GVSV Reacts Ep020] Straight Veteran watches Heartstopper S3E1 for the First Time](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PEbGkKAJfXU/mqdefault.jpg)
One time back in 1991, a boyfriend of mine and I were holding hands as we were walking on the street at night in San Francisco, and we were spotted by a carload of Navy guys on leave during Fleet Week. They jumped out of the car and rushed over to us, then they beat us both into the sidewalk. Both of us got some minor bone fractures and other injuries. Sometimes when you are LGBTQIA+, public displays of affection can be life-threatening.
I am so sorry and horrified
@davidcwitkin6729 I’m so sorry that happened to you 😢 It’s very disheartening to hear this, but I completely understand -GV
I wanted to add my thoughts on the how parents can discuss gender identity and different sexualities with their children…
I’m in my mid-40s, so am probably a similar age to you both. I have 3 boys (14, 10 and 6 years old). In raising our boys we have always intentionally steered away from heteronormative assumptions when discussing any future romantic partners they might have.
Heartstopper has been an absolute gift to us as parents, as we finally have a show that has queer representation pitched in a way that I can watch it with my older two boys, and we can discuss the issues it raises. It deals with discovering your sexuality (and that it’s okay to take time to figure things out), owning your sexuality, embracing differences, standing up against queer phobia and just the sheer joy of finding your “tribe”. It models examples of great communication, as well as looking at consent in relationships (and what qualifies as sexual assault). It also shows some great examples of parents doing it right (and others who just aren’t). Heartstopper enabled my 10 year old to recognise homophobic “banter” at school recently, and gave him the courage to call it out (and then report it to school staff).
Kids these days have access to nuanced language and labels to describe their sexuality in a way that we never did in the 90s…
As adults, it’s so important that we show our kids that it’s okay to talk about our sexuality and gender identity/expression. They should know that they can ask anything, and if we don’t know the answer, that we’ll help them find it. With so much access to technology these days, our children can find so much information online - what they need us to help them with is judging whether that information is from credible sources, and to spot and misinformation.
Ultimately communication is key. Communicating with us,
🩷💜💙
In 1994 I was out in High School 1997 I graduated. A year later the students had a GSA. One of the members that started it said I was the inspiration for them doing it. In 2010 the student that had started it thanked me for saving himself from committing suicide.
It's great to hear that your openness inspired someone to create a safe space for students to gather and ultimately saved his life. We didn't have a GSA when I was in High School, but after graduation I did try to get involved in groups whenever I could (Youth Groups, Volunteer Work, College Organizations). -GV
The hyper vigilance when kissing in a public setting with a same sex person can be a matter of life and death. |n GV story it's only a $50 fine, in many cases you get beaten up or lynched. While I appreciate SV's kindness, compassion and openness in these matters, I feel like he might not fully comprehend how dangerous living authentically as LGBTQ+ can be, because he would never do something like that and can't imagine how evil the world can be.
I wish more people in he world were like him, but that is not the world we live in.
Absolutely! I don’t think that cis-gender, heterosexual people can truly appreciate the constant hyper-vigilance that we experience as a queer community.
Thanks guys ❤ it’s great seeing your channel grow and how natural your conversations have become during these reactions. You two are doing great!
10:48 yes me too, all time. i butch up when i go out
Gah, dying because S3 is so close to dropping but not here yet. This was a really welcome diversion. Loved that SV got so into Heartstopper after being forced to suffer through the first few episodes. Reacting to things that are against your type is the heart of reaction channels, it’s so glorious seeing someone’s mind open to new/different things. And of course you two have a unique dynamic because you are deliberately opening up in front of camera about two very different life experiences, despite sharing so many other life experiences and tastes.
I shall be mischievous and mention a lot of straight men have gotten RUclips mileage out of reacting to the Romance genre Bridgerton limited series, and a lot of gay men have gotten some very different mileage out of having the pleasure of sharing Bridgerton with us. (Hot people are HOT) I know you already have suggestions out the wazoo, so I shall not expect it of you. It’s got a very upsetting episode 6 in Season 1 that I think you two could chew over. Book fans were expecting the story to be changed, but we learned that Shondaland likes DRAMA, icky nasty drama, even in a fairytale alt-history world. Maybe they created that sense of fairy tale safety then pulled the rug on purpose to create a controversy that would go viral?
You can see Heartstopper and Red, White, and Royal Blue went just as huge by fueling an addiction to happiness and an enduring contract to create a safe space. Not that either shy away from serious difficulty and problems, but we know we’re getting a happy ending, and a lot of emotional cushioning in the way of happiness along the way. Whereas Bridgerton really tortures its poor characters before they get their HEA (Happy Ever After)
You really could have 2 hour convos (sorry, I’m Australian, I meant conversations) on the stuff brought up by the questions today. I’m sorry you both have had to endure some all encompassing oppressions (bullying, homophobia, emotional deprivation for straight men). It makes me very sad. Australia is perhaps a little bit better for us overall than the average in the USA, but not nearly as phobic free as it needs to be. There’s very much areas that are really queer friendly, and some suburbs and a lot of the regions that are still very unsafe or uncomfortable to be out.
I believe Millenials have made the world a better place for straight and queer people, especially for Gen Z and Alpha. Although their economic situation is overall very very grim for them, I have a lot of hope for them being able to be more authentically themselves, including straight guys getting to own their emotions and have them validated.
it was so interesting you are both still learning new things about each other.
I am so ready for new Heartstopper happiness.
Good on ya. Im 37 and my dad is STILL the first person I call.
Looking forward to season 2.
SV: I can't believe you liked NOTHING about the soundtrack for Season 1! I recommend you give Chloe Moriando's track "I Want To Be With You" another listen! And GV: I'm a track repeater too! And I love Maggie Rogers!