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I feel stupid for asking, but how did the trans community decided that the giant shark Blajah will become their favourite plushie ?

I mean it looks awesome... but why that one ?

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[-] chaosbreon 55 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

It's just cute, easy to cuddle, and in the colours of the trans flag

[-] vegivamp@feddit.nl 20 points 2 years ago

I think it also helps that it wasn't intentional. Nobody likes the obvious corp whoring for a quick cash grab.

[-] SoLongThx4TheFish@feddit.de 10 points 2 years ago

I never noticed that its actually the flag colors! It's also available in every country with an Ikea, which is all of europe, north america, oceania and large parts of asia.

[-] csolisr@communities.azkware.net 4 points 2 years ago

I certainly see the blue, but where's the pink exactly? The mouth maybe? Feels like a bit of a stretch

[-] fangleone2526@lemmy.fmhy.ml 1 points 2 years ago

they also make a pink one i think!

[-] Rhabuko@feddit.de 21 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Oh! That's where the lemmy.blahaj.zone instance gets its name from? The more you know 🌠

[-] Ziggurat@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 years ago

It's actually one of thing which made my brain connect the dots and realize how widespread it was.

[-] kate@lemmy.uhhoh.com 14 points 2 years ago

In addition the colours matching the trans pride flag, I’ve heard people suggest that it’s because trans people (like sharks) are significantly less dangerous than the media portrays

[-] LadyAutumn 13 points 2 years ago

Just sorta happened. It's cute. Sharks are cool.

[-] Skyler@kbin.social 12 points 2 years ago

A couple shitheads in this thread. 😂

Reminder that you can click on a person's username and then block them pretty easily!

[-] Cloak@lemmy.ml 14 points 2 years ago

Please report shitheads. We do not allow shitheads.

[-] Kurt@lemmy.one 10 points 2 years ago
[-] estebiu@kbin.social 11 points 2 years ago

You dare sending a link to twitter on the free fediverse?! You shall perishhh!

[-] Kurt@lemmy.one 4 points 2 years ago

Sorry, pal. I just like hyperlinks.

[-] can@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago

@FatherMcGruder In a pinch, you can turn the Ikea Blåhaj's dorsal fin outside-in.

[-] sunshine@kbin.social 9 points 2 years ago

I think it's a Marge Simpson "they just think it's neat" situation

[-] Satelllliiiiiiiteeee@kbin.social 8 points 2 years ago

This is exactly the reason, it became a meme (like Fallout New Vegas becoming a thing in the trans community before it) and people ran with it. People have retroactively said that it's because blåhaj is trans pride colors but it wasn't the initial reason.

[-] Neeps@feddit.online 8 points 2 years ago

It is very soft and cute and may also help you hide medication from parents

[-] HidingCat@kbin.social 6 points 2 years ago

I didn't even know this was a thing! Is it a pretty universal symbol now?

[-] WalrusDragonOnABike@kbin.social 2 points 2 years ago

I've seen it quite often. Both on Reddit and twitch at least.

[-] Firefly7 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Its soft and cuddly and, to some extent, the same colors as the trans flag. It’s a much bigger thing among transfems than transmascs, and I’ve heard that part of its popularity is that it lets transfems feel soft and cuddly, when previously they’ve spent their whole lives under male social expectations where that’s less encouraged. It being a meme is a fun way to celebrate the expressing of a buried part of yourself.

[-] Firefly7 1 points 2 years ago

Also, IKEA ran an advertisement in support of gay marriage, using the shark. I forget, though, if that came before or after it becoming a trans symbol.

this post was submitted on 23 Jun 2023
70 points (100.0% liked)

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