My first interaction with anyone who was gay was in high school when my best friend sent me a love letter. I was shocked and sat around in a locked bathroom (where no one would bother me) for at least an hour thinking about it and working through how I felt, whether I could return her feelings, and how to respond. Even as someone who never had any issue with homosexuality, it was a disorienting experience.
R
That’s just the first interaction you had with someone who you knew to be gay. I can promise you, you’ve interacted with gay people before her. 🙂
I agree, as I’ve been through that, too, though not until college. But I’m not sure how Joyce would react. She’s not being approached by somebody off her own gender that’s interested in HER. She’s just being exposed to a homosexual in general. The reaction might be different.
I have to say though, even when you KNOW you’re straight, it’s never as easy to reject that person as you think it would be, especially if they’re already a friend that you care about.
That’s not interacting with the person, that’s interacting with their being gay. There’s a difference. Being sensitive to people’s differences is bunk, it’s easier to just not give a damn.
Why the hell am I always Ethan? I thought it was random.
Doctor_Who
It’s not random. A highly sophisticated algorithm examines the content and context of your message, uses your IP to track your browsing history, compares your probable personality traits to those possessed by the characters…and then assigns you the same avatar it picked randomly the first time you posted.
Rognik
Changing every time a new random avatar is added into the index. Then everyone changes in a big game of musical avatars.
Also, I believe it tracks by e-mail, not by IP.
Jetstream
That’s odd. For a while there it was changing my avatar every time I posted.
I’ve had a sudden terrible flashback to a rather Joyce-like girl I used to know who was convinced the openly gay guy she had a crush on ‘just hadn’t met the right girl yet’.
I love it when people say stupid stuff like that. It’s particularly funny, because I heard a girl say that about a gay guy once, while the guy was making out with his boyfriend four feet away. 😛
Well, if I recall, Shortpacked! Ethan came out as gay after having previously had straight experiences (and presumably had self-assumptions of straighthood that he’d never really challenged before).
DoA Ethan having confirmed his ‘out’ status already but having a ‘straight’ dalliance afterward would be…kinda opposite, actually.
zer
How about Sal? She’s basically Batman after all!
Joebo
No, Sal just likes to climb through windows. Amber, Ethan’s BEST FRIEND is Batman, and they apparently already tried that.
gangler
Oh My God! That would be the craziest thing if the Amazigirl all started from some comment Ethan made about Batman at some point, and things just got out of hand.
Amber: So, what’s your type?
Ethan: I like a strong woman. Capable, assertive. A woman of danger and secrets. Like Batman. Yes, Batman is my ideal woman.
Amber: *Grim look of determination*
Only after prom would it occur to Amber how odd it was that it didn’t occur to Ethan that Batgirl would work just fine for the point he was making.
Amber: Hmm. I suppose there were signs weren’t there?
That… actually would be a pretty cool story. There ain’t just sheep and goats after all. And watching Amber trying to deal with Ethan being “too gay” for a relationship with her but “straight enough” for a relationship with some other girl… ooh, juicy.
Of course when I imagine the kind of deep, personal connection with someone that might lead Ethan away from the high end of the Kinsey scale, I’m not sure I’d imagine Joyce.
I actually hope this goes well. After the initial shock I mean. Ethan has already had enough awkward in his day as it is. Then again, since he’s hanging around Mike of his own volition I suppose you could consider it self-inflicted.
…Joyce converts Ethan? Ethan remains horribly conflicted because he can’t believe he “stopped being gay,” when in reality he was just closer to the center of the Kinsey scale than he realized, and thus has not changed at all? The comic becomes a highly-complex discussion over the many different shades of sexual orientation, blurring the line between straight and gay, and thus creating a deeper social commentary?
…Or Joyce gets shock-hiccups, and Mike bangs her mom for a nickel.
TheStranger
You know, I wonder. Joyce is having all these shocks to her value system, and we know she grew up homeschooled (which means presumably her parents’ beliefs are on a similar plane), so I wonder…if/when Joyce gets a boyfriend, will her mom be jonesin’ hard for premarital-hanky-panky-spawned grandchildren in this universe, too?
gangler
Probably not right off the bat. Keep in mind that at the time Joyce reasonably deep into her twenties and had taken every opportunity to show her parents she was likely incapable of having a lasting functional relationship with a man. Times were desperate and Mother Joyce needed the babies to come from somewhere.
If her religion is anything like what I was raised in, about the only thing more sinful than premarital hanky panky is not procreating at all. Babies must be had. There comes a point where no one cares what the story is behind it, they just want you to spawn a new generation of christians, no questions asked.
Regardless, the basic point I’m making is that Joyce Prime had given her mother a lot more reason to worry about grandchildren than this one has right now, and had aged far deeper into the worry zone as well. Not married by twenty “Give her time. Let her enjoy her youth and smell the roses” is what people will say. Not married by thirty and you’re a lost cause. Joyce wasn’t a lost cause yet, but she was way past “Let her take her time and smell the roses”, and reputedly crazy in such a way that she drove all men away. Different situation entirely.
Finally Ethan interacts with somebody who isn’t Mike or Amber! I was beginning to think he was a figment of Amber’s imagination, and that Mike was just going along with the charade to further mind-screw her.
By the end of the week she’s going to be in catatonic shock. Will she eventually figure out that every person she meets is going to have SOMETHING about them that conflicts with the way she was brought up?
Standing on peoples sides is why I bought an “I’m with stupid T-Shirt”.
Random people will walk up to you to take pictures, and ask you to stand next to thier friends.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen when Joyce finds out Ethan is gay, but it’s definitely going to be hilarious.
I feel a little bad for Joyce, though. Girl is totally out of her element and probably feeling some culture shock. Though that may be a side effect of my Perverse Sexual Lust. (Which would probably frighten her more)
156 thoughts on “Stand”
David Herbert
And now Joyce is about to make friends with a gay man. I’m very curious as to what her reaction will be.
Digidestined of Trust (Tim)
If it’s like mine was, I’d see it as she would be a little squirmish, a little of a buh guh guh, and then one of VERY deep thought.
Michelle Alford
My first interaction with anyone who was gay was in high school when my best friend sent me a love letter. I was shocked and sat around in a locked bathroom (where no one would bother me) for at least an hour thinking about it and working through how I felt, whether I could return her feelings, and how to respond. Even as someone who never had any issue with homosexuality, it was a disorienting experience.
R
That’s just the first interaction you had with someone who you knew to be gay. I can promise you, you’ve interacted with gay people before her. 🙂
daughterofthestars
I agree, as I’ve been through that, too, though not until college. But I’m not sure how Joyce would react. She’s not being approached by somebody off her own gender that’s interested in HER. She’s just being exposed to a homosexual in general. The reaction might be different.
I have to say though, even when you KNOW you’re straight, it’s never as easy to reject that person as you think it would be, especially if they’re already a friend that you care about.
Peace in Our Time
That’s not interacting with the person, that’s interacting with their being gay. There’s a difference. Being sensitive to people’s differences is bunk, it’s easier to just not give a damn.
Bekah
I was thinking the exact same thing.
Well, actually, the exact words to go through my mind were “Uh-oh”
DiDi
LOL…
Mine was like: “Oh… boy…”
But I too am curious how this is going to work… meanwhile, I shall laugh more at Mike.
Justme
I detect Hiccups incoming.
Jetstream
Come oooooooon brain shattering! Give us the brain shattering!
Jetstream
Why the hell am I always Ethan? I thought it was random.
Doctor_Who
It’s not random. A highly sophisticated algorithm examines the content and context of your message, uses your IP to track your browsing history, compares your probable personality traits to those possessed by the characters…and then assigns you the same avatar it picked randomly the first time you posted.
Rognik
Changing every time a new random avatar is added into the index. Then everyone changes in a big game of musical avatars.
Also, I believe it tracks by e-mail, not by IP.
Jetstream
That’s odd. For a while there it was changing my avatar every time I posted.
daughterofthestars
Their answers sound right to me. I’m just glad my avatar is a girl.
Symbi Aya
I got Mike.
Ironic, I guess, as that is my father’s name. But still.
Next time I post, I use my gravatar.
The Collectible Frogboy
Hiccups in 3…2…1…
Justme
Gah! you beat me to it, Frogboy!
Chrisby
I can’t really think of a more accurate way to describe Mike’s personal relationships.
dchorror
Easy targets?
arjay2813
that has to be it
calendarman27
your mom was an easy target…for mikes penis…for a nickel
Digidestined of Trust (Tim)
So so true.
calendarman27
I wonder if meeting a homosexual will cause an even more intense fit of hiccups? perhaps a burping fit?
Cha
Faint?
Gnoka
I think she’ll just wait until she’s in her room, have a panic attack, and maybe call Becky.
Justme
Explosive gas?
arjay2813
i’d let him stand next to me, unless he tries to get me to carry his stuff. that’s what walky is for
Joebo
I have a feeling that Joyce is going to be barking up the wrong tree very soon.
calendarman27
Oh my god i hadn’t even thought about that, but that is hilarious, i hope she starts diggin’ on ethan big time.
Lokitsu
Joyce: “He’s such a polite boy. I bet HE’S Christian.”
MM
And IIRC, she won’t even be right on that count.
Joebo
You do.
Inara
I’ve had a sudden terrible flashback to a rather Joyce-like girl I used to know who was convinced the openly gay guy she had a crush on ‘just hadn’t met the right girl yet’.
Shift
I love it when people say stupid stuff like that. It’s particularly funny, because I heard a girl say that about a gay guy once, while the guy was making out with his boyfriend four feet away. 😛
Parismio
What would be even more insane is if Ethan turned straight for Joyce… Mind exploded.
TheStranger
Well, if I recall, Shortpacked! Ethan came out as gay after having previously had straight experiences (and presumably had self-assumptions of straighthood that he’d never really challenged before).
DoA Ethan having confirmed his ‘out’ status already but having a ‘straight’ dalliance afterward would be…kinda opposite, actually.
zer
How about Sal? She’s basically Batman after all!
Joebo
No, Sal just likes to climb through windows. Amber, Ethan’s BEST FRIEND is Batman, and they apparently already tried that.
gangler
Oh My God! That would be the craziest thing if the Amazigirl all started from some comment Ethan made about Batman at some point, and things just got out of hand.
Amber: So, what’s your type?
Ethan: I like a strong woman. Capable, assertive. A woman of danger and secrets. Like Batman. Yes, Batman is my ideal woman.
Amber: *Grim look of determination*
Only after prom would it occur to Amber how odd it was that it didn’t occur to Ethan that Batgirl would work just fine for the point he was making.
Amber: Hmm. I suppose there were signs weren’t there?
Peace in Our Time
That… actually would be a pretty cool story. There ain’t just sheep and goats after all. And watching Amber trying to deal with Ethan being “too gay” for a relationship with her but “straight enough” for a relationship with some other girl… ooh, juicy.
Of course when I imagine the kind of deep, personal connection with someone that might lead Ethan away from the high end of the Kinsey scale, I’m not sure I’d imagine Joyce.
Cha
Mike has people he’s willing to stand next to, and moms.
Ragnal
Joyce and Ethan. Interacting.
My head, it is asploded.
knowwonattawl
I actually hope this goes well. After the initial shock I mean. Ethan has already had enough awkward in his day as it is. Then again, since he’s hanging around Mike of his own volition I suppose you could consider it self-inflicted.
Beachfox
Crush on Ethan, Crush on Ethan, Crush on Ethan!
It’ll be the most brilliant thing ever! (Other then Mike and Ethan being a canon couple in DA too.)
Chrisby
This would somehow be more likely to work than her having a crush on Mike.
Ridureyu
…Joyce converts Ethan? Ethan remains horribly conflicted because he can’t believe he “stopped being gay,” when in reality he was just closer to the center of the Kinsey scale than he realized, and thus has not changed at all? The comic becomes a highly-complex discussion over the many different shades of sexual orientation, blurring the line between straight and gay, and thus creating a deeper social commentary?
…Or Joyce gets shock-hiccups, and Mike bangs her mom for a nickel.
TheStranger
You know, I wonder. Joyce is having all these shocks to her value system, and we know she grew up homeschooled (which means presumably her parents’ beliefs are on a similar plane), so I wonder…if/when Joyce gets a boyfriend, will her mom be jonesin’ hard for premarital-hanky-panky-spawned grandchildren in this universe, too?
gangler
Probably not right off the bat. Keep in mind that at the time Joyce reasonably deep into her twenties and had taken every opportunity to show her parents she was likely incapable of having a lasting functional relationship with a man. Times were desperate and Mother Joyce needed the babies to come from somewhere.
If her religion is anything like what I was raised in, about the only thing more sinful than premarital hanky panky is not procreating at all. Babies must be had. There comes a point where no one cares what the story is behind it, they just want you to spawn a new generation of christians, no questions asked.
Regardless, the basic point I’m making is that Joyce Prime had given her mother a lot more reason to worry about grandchildren than this one has right now, and had aged far deeper into the worry zone as well. Not married by twenty “Give her time. Let her enjoy her youth and smell the roses” is what people will say. Not married by thirty and you’re a lost cause. Joyce wasn’t a lost cause yet, but she was way past “Let her take her time and smell the roses”, and reputedly crazy in such a way that she drove all men away. Different situation entirely.
Pivitor
Finally Ethan interacts with somebody who isn’t Mike or Amber! I was beginning to think he was a figment of Amber’s imagination, and that Mike was just going along with the charade to further mind-screw her.
NCP19
Man, that would be one epic mind-screw. But Mike would definitely go along with a screw of any kind (for a nickel).
Lokitsu
Hmmm… nope, I just can’t see Ethan being played by Brad Pitt.
Tristan J
I’m still not convinced Mike and Ethan aren’t bangin’.
Tristan J
Panel 2: Mike is pissed ’cause he was hoping for an elevator makeout.
Panel 4: He’s subtley warning Ethan about the crazy religious girl.
Jillian
Panel 4: He’s warning Ethan away from Joyce cuz he has the hots for her. I mean. She JOINED in on the Joe-face punching.
Plasma Mongoose
intriguing theory >:)
Shift
If Mike wanted to make out with Ethan, he wouldn’t give a damn that Joyce was there. Hell, he wouldn’t even allow Ethan a say in the matter.
calendarman27
in fact, he might actually be more inclined to make out with ethan given the horrible panic attack it would give joyce
Tristan J
True. Damn.
Noel Schornhorst
I can see it now–
Ethan: It all started one day when I needed help to get over a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles addiction…
http://www.shortpacked.com/2006/comic/book-3-is-totally-gay/02-wikimania/rape/
Ethan: Now, I love the Ninja Turtles more than ever!!!
Rognik
Would TMNT be too old for a now 18 year old Ethan?
David
The original cartoon, yeah. There’s plenty of stuff afterwards, though.
Parismio
Now watch as we see Joyce go into a seizure for finding out that Ethan’s gay… Her day is just full of surprises.
daughterofthestars
By the end of the week she’s going to be in catatonic shock. Will she eventually figure out that every person she meets is going to have SOMETHING about them that conflicts with the way she was brought up?
Azumango
Standing on peoples sides is why I bought an “I’m with stupid T-Shirt”.
Random people will walk up to you to take pictures, and ask you to stand next to thier friends.
MacSimon
They are SO gonna bang.
…Also, Ethan and Joyce talking feels SO WEIRD.
L-
I’m not sure what’s going to happen when Joyce finds out Ethan is gay, but it’s definitely going to be hilarious.
I feel a little bad for Joyce, though. Girl is totally out of her element and probably feeling some culture shock. Though that may be a side effect of my Perverse Sexual Lust. (Which would probably frighten her more)
Ridureyu
Joyce: “Hi, Ethan!”
Ethan: “Hi, Joyce!”
Mike: “Ethan is gay.” *kisses Mike*
And that’s how Joyce became a mass-murderer.
Tristan J
Also, the Mike who is talking is Walkyverse!Mike, who pops his head through a portal from his reality.
Ridureyu
Do we really want both Mikes sharing the same reality?