This character is lgbtq what all at once
June is Pride Month in the U.S., and at Duolingo we’re celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community on social media and here on our blog. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we included representation in the development of our new cast of characters!
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Representation and diversity matter
When we were developing our recent cast of characters, we spent many months debating their names, strengths, faults, and life goals or lack thereof (ahem, Lin). But one thing we never questioned was the need for queer representation. There are two reasons for this.
First, Duolingo believes deeply in diversity and advocacy. This made it a no-brainer to include all types of characters of different ages, ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations.
The second reason is our learners. Something really one-of-a-kind about Duolingo is the extremely immense and diverse audience for our content: language learners of all ages, from all around the world. Yes, that’s a lot of people. And with such a broad base of learners, we have a responsibility to demonstrate and relate to the experiences of all kinds of people, LGBTQIA+ folks included.
Of course, characters are also much more compelling
This piece is a part of pop justice, Scalawag's newsletter exploring the intersection of popular culture and justice—namely through abolition. Sign up here.
I came out to my parents when I was 27 years old, and when informing my father that I was a lesbian, my mama said, "Your worst nightmare has come true." That statement set off a nearly 12-year-long estrangement from my parents. We barely spoke during that span, and I built a distinct life 482 miles away from them. I learned, as abolitionist and scholar Tiffany Lethabo King wrote in Black 'Feminisms' and Pessimism: Abolishing Moynihan's Negro Family, that "there are other ways of naming each other as relations." I made other relations outside of the nuclear family.
However, the pandemic changed everything, (everywhere, all at once), and I moved back to the lands where I was born and raised in Parade 2020. I am not any less queer, in my orientation, gender, politics, or practice. If anything, living in a rural conservative area of the Bible Belt, queerness has become even more of a heartbeat. That's how I found myself buying a ticket to view Everything Everywhere All At Once at the Amarillo Cine
Struggling to understand the LGBTQIA+ meaning of the acronym? You’re not alone.
For many people who are modern to the LGBTQIA+ people, this acronym can feel confusing or overwhelming.
If you are new, welcome! We’re so glad you’re here with us today.
And if you aren’t new to the community, but are curious to learn more about how the group has changed over the years, we’re delighted you’ve joined us today, too.
The way the LGBTQIA+ people interacts – both with each other and with the world around us – is constantly switching. We strive to contain everyone and to construct everyone feel seen and understood.
What Does LGBTQIA+ Mean?
For many years, the umbrella term “gay” was used to describe the community.
Now, many people worry about how to come out, but coming out before the 1970s wasn’t even an option, as many states illegalized what they called “homosexuality” or “sodomy.” There was also no acronym at all, restricting the inclusivity of our community.
Once an acronym appeared, all versions of it began with “L” – for an important reason.
In the early days of the gay rights movement, the lesbian community often felt dismissed or
20 Tips for Writing LGBTQ Characters
by Tucker Lieberman
A reference to writing LGBTQ characters in your fiction or screenplays
What does it signify to have “good LGBTQ representation” in your innovative writing? How do you make sure that your LGBTQ characters are shining, true, and not offending?
We seek ourselves in books, and we explore others. We seek solace. Community. Knowledge. How execute you write LGBTQ characters effectively so that your readers have the capacity to enjoy it?
The great news is: You have so many freedoms.
There are multiple ways to tell your story and to talk about what’s important to your characters. Writers, it’s time to get started.
Here are 20 things you should know about writing LGBTQ characters.
- Understand your character as a whole person.
Understanding a character’s sexuality and gender is rooted in sympathetic them as a person. Help the character excavate their desires:
- What do they want?
- What’s in their way?
- How are they standing in their own way?
- What won’t they settle for?
- What will it feel like when they arrive?
- How will they know they’ve done it?
See: the answer
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