LESBIAN VLOGS ...Taking over the world?

So Emma and I have noticed, along with the rest of the first world, that there's lots of young people making vlogs on YouTube. I've recently discovered lots of lesbian couples who have joined YouTube over the years to vlog about how they came out and how they deal with issues. Crucially though, they also show the fun and happy side of being in a comfortable lesbian relationship. I think it's massively beneficial to show the fun side of these relationships, mainly because it gives hope to those still battling away in the closet, those who are desperately lonely, and those simply wanting a laugh. They show us that it is possible to fall in love and have an amazing relationship.

Two accounts which do just that belong to Rose and Rosie and Ashley Mardell.

Rose and Rosie

A few years ago, I would have really appreciated seeing these two at work. They're just two ordinary girls, who happen to be in love, and also happen to have very similar and catchy YouTube sounding names. They immediately quash the two predominate stereotypes which unfortunately lurk in society's definition of who lesbians tend to be: a dyke or a porn star. For somebody such as myself who clearly didn't fit in either of those categories, I would have found it hugely reassuring to watch these girls giving advice, and just being in love with each other.

They have amassed a huge following of 300,000 subscribers, and seem to be doing well out of their videos. For example, the girls have an email address dedicated to business enquiries, have their own merchandise range, and in 2014 had a feature in DIVA magazine about their relationship.

I suppose it's true to say that these girls probably have such a huge following because they might be a novelty in the lesbian world for the exact reasons that I mentioned above. They don't fit into society's idea of what a stereotypical lesbian couple looks like, which is why we all flock to follow them. On quick inspection, their most popular videos are videos of them engaging in a superkiss, having raked in around two million views compared to their usual and impressive 200,000 views. Once you push past the rather disturbing likelihood that quite a few of those were probably randy old men, it's amazing to think how popular these two girls have become over the past few years and I think it's a very good thing that Rose and Rosie, and lots more like them, have decided to place their relationship in front of a camera every once in a while to give hope to thousands just like them.

Ashley Mardell

I very recently discovered her thanks to an incredibly creative video (see below) about her girlfriend of just four months...I'm probably not the only one who can't wait to see what she comes up with to celebrate their 12 month anniversary!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzFVmareXZE

 Amazing huh?!

She's incredibly talented, clearly knows how to use a camera, and is brimming with vlogging ideas. She's currently got just over 100,000 subscribers, and I'm sure the imaginative nature of her vlogs will carry her far higher than this within a relatively short time frame. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she gets snapped up by a large media and marketing firm as a result of all her hard graft.

Ashley is the star of her channel, and her girlfriend makes sporadic appearances every so often, which is nice. Ashley is the proud owner of a rather sassy and amusing personality which makes her videos work, along with her inevitable A+ in computing class. She manages to treat her subscribers to vlogs that generally have a positive and moral message, but in a silly and fun way.

Similarly to Rose and Rosie, Ashley is seeking to cash in on her YouTube success with her own range of merchandise.

Making money from serious issues...

A lot of YouTubers YouTube in order to make themselves a bit of money. No harm in that. In fact, if you can pull it off, hats off to you. But I think YouTubers who have become big because they are making videos about serious issues like sexuality, have a responsibility to ensure that this always takes centre stage. Those leaving comments are possibly more likely to be in a very tough place mentally and emotionally, compared to those commenting on a video about the best laptop on the market. So I think as long as these YouTubers continue to respond and engage with those who wait in anticipation to see their latest uploads - which they generally do very well - then I don't think there's really any harm in selling a tshirt or two as a sideline.

So....

Inspired by the videos of the inspiring ladies mentioned above, Emma and I have had a go at creating our own YouTube channel, PossumBadger (please see below if you are thoroughly confused by the name), and we will chat about our own experiences of battling with our sexuality, coming out, and problems that we face along the way. But we'll also be hopefully showing our fun sides too, and all the cool things we get up to! Please feel free to subscribe:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh0ky0sXbI7mR5DZcFJV0g

We really want to communicate with those who might have questions about their sexuality, coming out or what it's like to be in a lesbian relationship in society, and we want this to always be the focus of our vlogs.

Stay tuned for our upcoming release of merchandise...*
*Ha! Only kidding :P

PossumBadger: The Origins

One Sunday morning Emma and I were lazing in bed (actually it was probably the afternoon), and Emma showed me some very funny YouTube videos including the crazy nastyass honeybadger haha...
At the same time that this was going on, we were wasting electricity further by having Over the Hedge playing on the tele. And Emma decided to repeatedly REPEATEDLY quote the possum in the film....

So from that point on, I'm badger and Emma's possum.

And yes, we are aware of our weirdness...see you next time!