Regardless of residing in a comparatively inclusive age, the assumption that times and circumstances have modified for queer individuals continues to be very obscure. Folks figuring out as a half of the LGBTQ neighborhood nonetheless face backlash for merely staying true to their identities. Each new day we’re elevating our voice in opposition to some mob lynching incident, a homicide, assault, harassment try made to our fellow people simply because of their sexual orientation. The LGBTQ communities, in a bigger half of the world, reside in imminent hazard from state-tolerated anti-gay terror – thus far. These circumstances are the precise actuality of 1000’s of individuals residing all over the world. They aren’t thought of regular individuals, not to mention human.
Virtually in 71 nations, figuring out as an LGBTQ+ individual makes you a prison and in 11 of them, the punishment is a demise sentence. The discrimination in opposition to the queer folks has absolutely lessened, however it doesn’t imply that it has vanished solely from the face of the planet. Particularly in extra progressive industries like leisure, arts, and content material creation, the bias may be very a lot current – that too in full drive.
Arend Richard, the Co-Founder and Inventive Director of Weedtube who was previously generally known as “The Gay stoner” on YouTube, was faraway from the net video sharing social platform; for sharing cannabis-related content material. Arend had over 190,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel when his channel obtained banned in February 2018. His channel was an academic outlet for individuals who struggled with continual sicknesses and marijuana was their solely dependable supply of relive for them. Extra so, being homosexual, Arend additionally talked about issues and subjects that mattered to his neighborhood, their well being, marijuana utilization and the stigmas related to it. The Gay Stoner’s content material was a massive pile of content material that went in opposition to the insurance policies of YouTube.
In his recent podcast on weebtube.com Arend stated, “I have been a victim of homophobia many times that I can’t even bear in mind.” Being a younger 15 years previous boy, Arend certain was a confused teenager who wished to find his identification and make a title of his personal in this estranged world of discrimination and homophobia. He wished to make buddies, be appreciated, and stay a pleased and peaceable life – not like the presumed LGBTQ+ outcasts. Arend grew up listening to homophobic tales and later skilled fairly a few incidents on his personal too. Suppose what this type of trauma would do to a younger 15-year-old thoughts, who’s already determining his personal identification.
Arend’s remarks would possibly come as a shock (or offense) to few, however it’s one harsh actuality of the leisure business. Times have handed, and folks have progressed, however the discrimination continues to be very a lot there.
One other such incident occurred again in 2019 that saddened the fraternity, coming from such a well-known star. Logan Paul made a statement in opposition to the homosexual neighborhood stating, “he desires to ‘go homosexual’ for a month,’ – as if “going-gay” is a stunt or so. Arend Richard condemned Paul’s insulting comment and took it upon himself to answer his phrases. He wrote, “Paul we don’t need you.”
Arend spoke on the behalf of his neighborhood and took a stand by making a statement. His stance was appreciated by the complete LGBTQ neighborhood. For years, Arend has come ahead as a important voice, talking for issues that matter and go away an affect.
When YouTube banned Arend’s channel “The Gay Stoner” attributable to posting cannabis-related content material, which basically didn’t go along with the neighborhood pointers of the platform, he didn’t stand down. Arend took a leap of religion and based Weedtube, which is presently the most important social media platform for cannabis-centric content material.
He’s the one who change the notion of so many judgmental eyes and began a secure home for hashish customers as a result of that’s what helped him remedy his continual blood cell dysfunction. He cherished how hashish helped him change his life. Waking up each day together with melancholy and intrusive ideas with none hope and future plans, Arend’s life was full of anxiousness and hopelessness. His identification made him really feel omitted and degraded. The beginning of Weedtube was a new starting for him. He determined to construct a neighborhood of like-minded individuals, who love, settle for, and respect others with none discrimination.
Arend used his platform to make clear homophobic discrimination and crimes in opposition to sexuality. He raised his voice in opposition to the bisexual mistreatment in Chechnya in 2017 and when the Chechnya President denied the act, he known as his statement “devilish.” It took tons of braveness for Arend to beat the consequences of hate speech and discrimination. He confronted them with nerve and turn out to be a homosexual entrepreneur, standing up for his neighborhood.
