average-nightvale-stuff:

Thank you WTNV for creating a diverse cast of lgbt characters. Finding such an lgbt casual podcast..or STORY, for that matter, was so bizarre. Usually, shows like to stress that they have gay characters for views and put those characters in homophobic environments for plot and drama. “Hey look at us! We have TWO gay characters!! They’re entire personalities revolve around their sexuality but they’re here so give me progress points!!!”

Welcome To Night Vale never did that with Cecil or Carlos. Or Night Vale for that matter.

And then more characters were simply casually lgbt. Orientations went unmentioned and unknown until the moment they fell in love or talked about recent crushes. When Cecil first admired Carlos I had to rewind again and again to make sure I was hearing correctly. I had to do the same thing when Carlos explained that some of the desert otherworld warriors weren’t either male or female and when pronouns like “They/them” were used for them and Sheriff Sam.

Welcome To Night Vale’s character diversity never fails to make me think “Did I hear that correctly?” only to rewind and grin, realizing that I did. Hilariously, it makes me feel stupid when I rewind because I KNOW I heard correctly…I know I rewind over and over again because the part of my mind that is used to hearing incorrectly when I am no longer in the world of Welcome To Night Vale is responsible for my surprise and confusion when lgbt characters are mentioned even though by now I should know I am listening clearing and that I don’t have to rewind.

I don’t have to rewind.

That is such a new concept. To hear correctly when it comes to the lgbt community. To read correctly. To realize “No, I didn’t skip a line.” because I didn’t.
To realize “No, I didn’t accidentally fast forward.” because I didn’t.
To think “No, this is right. I’m in the right track. I don’t have to rewind. This is right. I heard correctly. I don’t have to rewind because I DID hear correctly.” is both beautiful and heartbreaking to be able to do. It’s overall effect is relieving. It’s joyous. It make me giggle like an idiot.

Thank you Joseph Fink and Jeffery Cranor for creating a story with diverse characters around every corner and letting me, for 30 minutes twice every month.. finally…break my habit of rewinding.