Fun fact: In the Caption-Me Rudy short done by the Rain: The Animated Series team, I suggested a couple of the bits used. And when I was trying to think of suggestions, the bit on this page, actually crossed my mind. But before bringing it up to them, the entire context of this page occurred to me, and I decided to keep this one for myself. I hope the team will forgive me for selfishly hording one. XD
But it's not all goofs and gaffs here. This page is also important for Rudy. Since the first introduction of "Ruby", I only ever wanted to establish Rudy as a male assigned and male identifying person who likes to wear skirts and dresses. This is a perfectly valid way to be, but it's apparently been a bit of a tough pill for some to swallow.
I've seen a lot of remarks throughout the comic, saying things like "why else would she dress like that", or "Rudy's definitely an egg", or just saying "Ruby" or "she" when he's presenting male. And I'm not trying to call anyone out or make anyone feel bad, but that always felt a little icky to me. It always felt like misgendering. He's told us he's a guy before. More than once, even. And he's confirmed it with others too.
I absolutely recognize and agree that many trans folks go through some serious denial before accepting themselves (I sure did!), but I think it's also important to let people discover themselves at their own pace. Because until a person tells us, we don't know. Instead of projecting or preemptively deciding for another person that they're trans because they meet one or a few of the stereotypes, I think it's better to hear what they have to say. If they say they're not trans, trust them. If they come out later on down the road, it doesn't mean they were lying earlier; it means they needed time to sort things out. I think it's great to offer support, to lend an ear or a shoulder if they need it, to provide information if they ask, but I don't think we should assume we know a person better than they do.
As for Rudy, is he trans? He says he's not. He says he's a guy. So I think we should trust him and respect his name and pronouns as he tells it. If he realizes something down the road and says he is trans or nonbinary, we respect whatever changes he requests (if any!).
Sorry if that was a little too soapboxy for a gag page. It's been on my mind for a while. ^^;
1-I love the way the reference was used here. And I never thought it was overdone.
2- I find the comments about Rudy as being trans to be more complicated than they need too. He’s a guy who likes cross dressing, plain and simple.
That said, when is he going to become a drag queen? (I’m 100% confident this will happen. There’s so many signs he will)
Aaaaaah that was great! I love the call back. :D Also Maria's such a good sister. This page made my week -- and I was already having a really good week.
I don't think Mrs. Strongwell knows Ryan's trans though. And I was more talking about if Mr. and Mrs. Strongwell are getting divorced, if Mrs. Strongwell has reached out to Maria at all, or if she'll ever accept Rudy for being gay.
remember, Mrs. Strongwell is the first person other than Rudy that Ryan used his new name on,. and she knows it. so even if she doesn't know the specific details, she knows Ryan isn't exactly as he appears, and actually probably asked Rudy about it.
as for the rest, unclear about the divorce, i doubt she's reached out to Maria, that seems like something that would have happened on screen, and she may not fully understand it all, but all she wants is to ensure her son is happy. she doesn't have to fully understand him being gay or even fully be okay with it to let him be himself anyway. in her eyes, first and foremost, he is her son. that's what she cares about.
I would love to see how rudy/ruby feels about the term "femboy" someday. whether he likes or dislikes it, I would like to see his opinion
ruby is actually the only character I have ever felt truly represented by. I dont consider myself a femboy anymore, but ruby is still the closest character to me
Honestly, when I use phrasing like that? ... It's usually the Three Golden Goddesses from the Legend of Zelda. I use them because they're in a spot of not being stepping on people's beliefs but also being... revereable? Plus invoking the right one for a situation *feels right*. Kinda weird, I guess, but it feels good and right to me.
ah, alright. i thought you were referring to a group of actual goddesses, but honestly, you're not wrong about them being revearable. honestly wouldn't be surprised if they were inspired by some goddesses, i'd have to look in to it.
Mentioning Ruby right now reminded me of the theory about Gavin's attraction to Rain/Ruby creating tension between Ana and Gavin, which in this context might lead to conflict between Ana's stealth ideals and her attempts to help Ryan.
I love that this is a callback but also I'm strongly ambivalent about the overlap and confusion with futch and twink that this is so much a perfect thing to say for.
Seems a bit weird to make him self conscious about his exposed chest if he's not Trans then. I mean the only people I've known to be like that are Woman and sometimes Trans Men but never Cis Men.
I mean I've even seen it listed as one of a list of potential signs someone is Trans.
i think it was more reactionary than anything. Allison pointing it out, plus the memory of how they first met made him a little shy. since his shirtlessness was the biggest factor of it all, he covered in an attempt to pull attention away from it.
The faces of the three match the faces of the people in their original spots in the original page.
Rudy's face here matches Maria's face in the old page, Maria's here matches Gavin's there, and Gavin's here matches Rudy's there. I love that consistency.
im rereading thru this and that joke has caused me to laugh out loud for a solid 2 minutes. and ive already read this page before, but dang it that running gag being flipped like that is amazing
I hope we can continue to see Ryan, I don't know maybe in therapy with Vincent.
2- I find the comments about Rudy as being trans to be more complicated than they need too. He’s a guy who likes cross dressing, plain and simple.
That said, when is he going to become a drag queen? (I’m 100% confident this will happen. There’s so many signs he will)
as for the rest, unclear about the divorce, i doubt she's reached out to Maria, that seems like something that would have happened on screen, and she may not fully understand it all, but all she wants is to ensure her son is happy. she doesn't have to fully understand him being gay or even fully be okay with it to let him be himself anyway. in her eyes, first and foremost, he is her son. that's what she cares about.
at least it is now.
ruby is actually the only character I have ever felt truly represented by. I dont consider myself a femboy anymore, but ruby is still the closest character to me
I actually feel like Rain's line in the final panel sort of throws things off, though my opinion might change when I'm rereading the scene as a whole.
1) Rudy is jsut a crossdresser, that's it. might end up a drag queen like Izzy.
2) Rudy has some slight gender fluidity like Ky that he's using his crossdressing to unconsciously release.
I mean I've even seen it listed as one of a list of potential signs someone is Trans.
The faces of the three match the faces of the people in their original spots in the original page.
Rudy's face here matches Maria's face in the old page, Maria's here matches Gavin's there, and Gavin's here matches Rudy's there. I love that consistency.