Domestication Syndrome Is One Of The Coolest Findings From Recent Genetics

why you should not dismiss research unless you rly truly mean it

Internet, I am a queer researcher of queer health and I have something to say.

A few weeks back, a study went viral about the relationship between marriage equality policy and queer teen suicide rates, and a lot of people reacted thusly: “queer mental health is better when we’re not discriminated against! BREAKING: SKY IS BLUE, WATER IS WET”

This happens a lot. People see research about a thing ~Everyone Already Knows~ and they mock it. Now I want to make two things really clear:

1. Everyone does not already know.

2. This shit can lose these projects their funding.

Did you know that media coverage is a crucial factor in funding allocation? When we submit our application for grant renewal, we have to provide a list of news articles about our research so they can decide whether the public cares enough about us to let us keep doing our work. And most research doesn’t get all that much coverage, so individual reactions can really matter. If the primary reaction to our publications is eyerolling, we legitimately might not be able to continue.

I’ve seen some frustration from people who believe this research funding would be better put to use “actually helping” the affected populations instead of–I don’t know, pinning them under microscopes or whatever it is they think we do. But funding for policy initiatives is driven by research. I know you wish politicians would listen to individual voices telling them where the problems are, but that’s honestly not a smart way to direct limited resources. We need solid evidence. And a lot of the areas that need the most attention aren’t obvious–who knew bisexual people are at a much higher risk for physical and mental health disparities than gay and lesbian people? Who would have guessed that transgender folks are more likely than any other group (including straight people) to be military veterans, but overwhelmingly don’t claim their benefits? I’m sure some people noticed these patterns, but they definitely weren’t common knowledge within the queer communities I’ve grown up around, and those findings are leading to direct action as we speak.

I get that it can be frustrating to feel like your identity is being reduced to facts and figures for the benefit of red tape. But trust me, the researchers aren’t your enemy here. Most of us are queer too. All of us are just as frustrated by this crap as you are. We are doing our best, and I swear to you this work really is making a difference. Please don’t sabotage it.

✨ Chaos Crew Tattoos ✨

again, there IS a problem of straight actors playing all the gay roles, but the answer isn’t as easy as “straight people shouldn’t play gay people” because a) it’s acting and there’s nothing intrinsically physical about gayness and b) it’s bad to insist that actors make their sexuality public information

Truth 

(as per my Chain OCs post a while back)

“though I’ve handled the wood, I still worship the flame″

Helltrooper Dream

Half-Elf Cleric, probably either light, nature or war I’m not sure

“Tryna talk to the Elf? Good luck with that, he’s a dreamer that one”

Oft found staring off into the distance, Dream is a quiet one. Keeps to himself mostly, a sad look in his eyes. Quite pretty some say, with soft features that seem bespokely made for a sad smile. 

Quick to heal those who need it, especially his fellow troopers although his compassion hides a fire which few even among his fellow soldiers have seen. Dream joined up with the chain for reasons unknown, those who can coax some conversation out of him tend to find him pleasant but not forthcoming. One thing’s for certain though, he’s no friend of Ajax and where most topics are met with mostly disinterest, mention of the overlord will bring out a cold anger in the priest.

Medusa with the Head of Perseus, Luciano Garbati, 2008

C2, F1, G1, G2, J1, Z1

C2: In what position do they sleep?

Mint likes to curl up around things, including pillows, blankets, small animals, and other helltroopers. God help the soul who they fall asleep next to, before you know it you’ll have a monk clinging to you like glue.

F1: What do they do for fun?

Dumb Shit. Mint is (usually) fully aware when an idea is a bad one, but they think a little excitement is highly needed in everyone’s life. When not trying to wrangle snakes and telling white lies, they enjoy spending time with their fellow helltroopers, catching drinks at the tavern and telling outrageous stories around the fire.

(Also really likes to garden)

G1: What is their most attractive external feature?

Hmm probably their eyes or their smile! Their eyes are a real nice brown and are constantly twinkling with mirth, whereas when they smile a genuine, non-smirky smile, it lights up their whole face.

G2: What is the most attractive part of their personality?

When Mint decides they care about you, they really care about you. They don’t express this with words, but instead by being able to pick up on when you’re down, and trying to cheer you up. This can be in the form of random gifts, a nice act, or actually listening to what you say (i.e Paisley).

J1: What makes them happy?

Others believing the ridiculous shit they spout, seeing their friends having fun, The Chain being victorious, seeing something they planted grow big, rain. Stuff like that.

Z1: What is their favourite animal?

Mice or snails! Mint likes how sneaky + cute mice are, and thinks snails are ~effervescent~ (no but seriously, they really like snails. When they find one on a journey, will often pick one up and let it crawl around their hand and coo at it)

Original Animatic | CHURCH

I came up with the characters and story solely for this project; they are not “from” anything, just this!  The nun’s name is Sanga, the demon’s name is Ashivon, and you can find more of them here.

An animatic is, by its nature, a planning stage for animation.  But since I wasn’t sure whether this one would ever end up being fully animated, I put extra care into it.  So now it’s in that animatic/animation gray area.  While making this video, I was torn between the thought “well this is some melodramatic middle-school bullshit” and “actually it’s pretty good”.  In the end, I’d like to think it’s both things. :) 

Song: Church by Fall Out Boy Program Used: Adobe Photoshop CS6 This took me eleven months to make!

nothing can beat that recycled stained glass aesthetic 

⚔️  Disney & Dragons  2 ⚔️

Turned some more Disney Heroes into DnD characters for this week’s speedpaint! These designs have probably been my favorite ones so far to put together~ °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

(I went into detail in the video about what class I made each character into and why, but if you haven’t seen it yet then feel free to make your own guesses based on these artworks!)

(DON’T EDIT OR REPOST TO OTHER SITES)  //  FULL SIZE VERSIONS ON MY DA (<-link in my blog header)