OTP six
Well, this would motivate me to learn how to cook...
These are Zed and Ray and they're super adorable. Loud and chatty, they have an easygoing dynamic that blends cute awkwardness and swagger in equal amounts. Also, when was the last time you saw two men of color so openly sharing affection? I was surprised when I read about them and then ran into their IG and just had to check their YouTube channel. I was not disappointed. Nope.
Their videos are the typical YouTube fare: the boyfriend tag, the occasional going out video, their daily lives out in the open. A whole generation of LGBTQ kids have grown in the public eye and have explored their queer identities out in the open. They have basically normalized being gay. You know why the Religulous restrict their kids' access to the internet, right? It's because many queer kids find solace in the stories told by other queer kids. They feel less alone. The internet has provided queer kids growing up in the middle of a cornfield with hope: they realize they are not alone.
Their exploring their relationship is super sweet and also reaffirming. Zed is from Tunisia and Ray is from Louisiana, so they're a culturally mixed couple but they're definitely two Black men. You know how Black men can be sometimes so stuck on gender roles and expectations. It may be cultural, just like Latinx men are trapped by rigid conventionalities. But being a culturally mixed couple make them have two perspectives on many things we would look under only one lens. And I think that's what makes them and their dynamic different? It's always good to have a foreign perspective in a relationship, I think. It brings into the mix some things that we would not have with someone who shares our own culture.
They are young and handsome and their energy is contagious. I like the easiness of their rapport and the way they seem to know each other so well. They don't shy away from talking about sex (something I consider very, very important) and know their pet peeves and assets. That's a good relationship trait, TBH. They're aware of their good qualities and their drawbacks, too. Man, and they've been together for just over a year or two? I love this.
So they're adorable and very attractive. Their energy is just so pure and they never shy away from being affectionate with each other. I think I liked their interactions because that's one of the things that I appreciate most in a relationship: a man who's not afraid of showing me affection and not getting trapped in some macho posturing bullshit. I like a man who holds my hand, who kisses me hello, a man who is not afraid of PDAs. Physicality. So hot.
There may be some lesson here. Hiding in plain sight. Watching relationships sometimes makes us realize what is it that we have or lack. I think a relationship that functions in such a natural way, with two men staying true to themselves and sharing that with the man they love with absolut disregard to outdated social conventions is admirable. Kudos to Zed and Ray. They may give the children some pointers on how to be GGG while looking totally fly.
XOXO
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They're cute, I'll give 'em, but when you live your life on, and for, social media, how "real" is it really?
ReplyDeleteThey're adorbs.
DeleteAnd of course their life is curated. Nobody does a 24/7 version of their lives online. What I found interesting is that there's very few queer BIPOC couples online doing this. Especially two young black men. There's a dime a dozen white cis gay couples on YouTube and IG. I have not seen many young, gay, black men showing their lives like this.
It was refreshing.
XOXO
This was great! Being married as long as I have, you must be affectionately alive. Yes, we slobber in public. lol
ReplyDeleteI know right?
DeleteIt gave me life. People think that the goal is to get in a relationship. Nope, the goal is KEEPING that relationship alive. Being affectionate with the man you love is of paramount importance, IMHO.
Slobbering in public is mandatory.
XOXO
Super cute. Adorable. Always on = exhausting. I can't live my life constantly in front of a camera. But if I did, I'd need to find a husband first. And Maddie won't return my calls. So, there...
ReplyDeleteAren't they?
DeleteCute and a half. And They are probably in their very early twenties. At that age you are ALWAYS on. Besides, they were probably born in the XXI century. Living their lives in front of a camera is almost a default.
And we do need to find yo a husband. I'll have to talk to Maddie...
XOXO
They've got the right spin on things. To understand and compromise with another culture adds to the difficulty in maintaining a long-term thing. So long as they continue to do that.... And, if they've planned for the day when the social media thing dries up (because it will), they'll be adorable into old age. Because that's the goal, isn't it? xoxo
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree.
DeleteThey seem to have found a great groove. I liked that. And having culture shock when dating or living with someone from another culture is always a given. It can make things really fun or it can muddle communication. And you know what happens then.
I'm sure they have other interests besides looking adorable on camera. Most people know that being on YouTube is always temporary.
And being adorable into old age has always been my goal, natch.
XOXO
Six, I can't imagine you ever NOT being adorable!!! XOXO
DeleteHow fun. And such a lifesaver for the cornfield crowd. I am so glad gay kids are more aware.. and that they have access to positive gay role models like these too, as opposed to thinking porn is what gay is about. And these two are low maintenance - very real, and that is relatable. Thanks for sharing. You always have your pulse on this stuff, sugar.
ReplyDeleteOMG
DeleteThat's the first thing I tought: there's some queer BIPOC kids who are watching this and are realizing they are NOT alone. There's other men out there like themselves who live happy, fulfilling lives while loving another man. That it's ok to show affection when you love him. That you, too, can love and be loved. And that there's more to being with a man than just sucking his dick. That's what hit me.
They come across as super down to earth and fun. I'd love to hang out with them!
And thanks, Upton. You're always so positive!!
XOXO
I have to agree with Bob.
ReplyDeleteWell, yeah.
DeleteBut we all present a curated view of our lives. Just look at our blogs. And this is not even social media! What struck me is that there's very little representation for young, queer, BIPOC. How many black , young, gay couples did you know when you were growing up that showed their lives on YouTube?
I'll be here all day.
XOXO
I love Rice Krispy treats! They are a super cute couple. I agree with some of the other comments: it’s got to be tough living your life in front a camera (see your post from yesterday). And it’s got to be doubly tough when you’re tied to another person. You’ve got two personalities that hopefully complement each other to be successful.
ReplyDeleteI hope they grow old together before all their fans. It’s tough in private, it’s nearly impossible in the public eye.
XOXO 👨❤️💋👨
Yum Rice Crispy treats.
DeleteThey're adorable. I wanna hang out with them. And they're young. They were probably born after 2000. This generation grew up in front of a camera. I probably have pants that are older than them.
They do seem super in synch. I loved that. You just cannot fake that kind of compatibility. The easiness of the interactions, the affection, the laughter. Those things cannot be faked.
XOXO