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The holiday season is in full swing, and we feel like it’s the best time of the year to remember how wholesome, kind, supportive, welcoming, and selfless people can truly be, despite their perceived differences. That’s why we’re featuring the ‘Gates Open, Come On In’ subreddit, an online community of nearly 340k people today.

The online group presents itself as the exact opposite of r/gatekeeping and features folks being true legends who accept others no matter who they are, instead of angry gremlins who don’t want to let anyone new into their communities. Scroll down for some of the best anti-gatekeeping posts and hard proof that people really do have each others’ backs when push comes to shove.

Pssst, Pandas, if you’re looking to restore some more faith in humanity, then you’ll definitely want to check out Bored Panda’s previous article about some more great real-life anti-gatekeeping examples. You can read it right here.

British psychotherapist Silva Neves shared with Bored Panda his take on why some people feel the need to act as gatekeepers at all. "The theory is that it comes from our inner sense of survival. At times when we lived in tribes, it was part of survival to fear people outside of the tribe because they might have been a threat to the tribe," he explained to me. "In our modern world, to some extent, we have kept that sense of survival, although unnecessary now, but still subconsciously strong."

However, Silva notes just how much impact even small gestures of kindness can have. "When we learn to be kind to others, we're actually learning to be kind to ourselves. We need both." Scroll down for to read what he had to say about this.

"We don't often realize that a very small gesture of kindness, even just a smile to a stranger, can trigger a chain of kindness and love to their social circle, and the ripple effects can be felt to the greater society," psychotherapist Silva shared with Bored Panda the power that even a small act of kindness can have in the world around us. In fact, we're naturally hard-wired to help others.

#2

Everyone (Saw This Posted Somewhere Else On Reddit So Thought It'd Be Worth The Cross-Post)

Everyone (Saw This Posted Somewhere Else On Reddit So Thought It'd Be Worth The Cross-Post)

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"Being kind and helpful is a natural high for us, as it produced feel-good brain chemicals, so it tends to make us happier. Seeing others happy can also produce feel-good chemicals. So it is all round a very good thing for physical and mental health to be kind to ourselves and others," he said.

"If we do that, we tend to live happier lives and, even if we don't always see it, it is important to remind ourselves that any small gesture of kindness contributes to a kinder world. And, right now, the world needs a lot more kindness."

#4

I Just Like Animals

I Just Like Animals

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#5

We Can All Get Along!

We Can All Get Along!

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James016
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a Jew who is married to a Muslim. It really is no big deal to us or generally anyone we know.

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‘Action for Happiness’ explained to me earlier that altruism and kindness are closely linked to our own happiness.

"Think about how you can reach out and do things for others, help a neighbor or volunteer for a cause, we get happiness high from helping other people. Or start small and simply list three things that you can be grateful for each night before bed,” Sarah Vero from ‘Action for Happiness’ shared with Bored Panda.

According to Sarah, the 10 keys to happier living are: “Giving, relating, exercising, awareness, trying out, direction, resilience, emotions, acceptance, and meaning. We are likely to be happier if our lives have direction, meaning, and purpose and if we are part of something bigger than ourselves.”

#7

Depression Gateopening

Depression Gateopening

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then come the people stating "you can't be depressed, you don't LOOK depressed, you're faking it"... 🙄

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#9

Keep Doing What You Like, Support Others Who Do The Sam

Keep Doing What You Like, Support Others Who Do The Sam

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Vanessa King, the Head of Psychology at ‘Action for Happiness,’ noted that we’re a social species and that helping others out is part of who we are. Being kind, lending a helping hand are the “social glue that keeps us together.”

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“When we do things for others it activates the reward center in the brain, so when we give a gift it feels the same as receiving a gift," Vanessa stressed.

“Small daily actions one at a time can help us to make altruism a lifetime habit. You could start out small by deciding you are going to smile at everyone you meet or pay three people a compliment today,” she said.

#10

You're Not A Product

You're Not A Product

Fxon , twitter.com Report

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Demi Zwaan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have to say the internet ruined quite a few hobbies for me. Going out to find tips and tricks and finding communities full of people who are soooooo much better at it then I’ll ever be, discourages me too much. In “ye old days” I just did whatever I liked and never knew how bad I was at it. So now I just avoid those kind of hobbies online. I’m happier not knowing if I’m good or not :)

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#11

I Love This Man More Than Certain Family Members

I Love This Man More Than Certain Family Members

Thedepressionoftrees Report

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Ray Martin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn, son, just wear a crop top and some underpants. Get those wet and you'll get some real attention.

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#12

This Is Beautiful

This Is Beautiful

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Human beings don’t hold a monopoly on empathy. Plenty of other animals have feelings and have demonstrated that they feel bad for other beings if they’re in trouble. For instance, a while back I wrote about an experiment on rat friendship.

As it turns out, rats help each other out if they sense that they’re distressed. However, they prefer to help rats who are most like them. Scientist Inbal Ben-Ami Bartal told Bored Panda that “rats will help others of their ingroup (cagemates and strangers of the same strain) but not the outgroup (strangers of a black-furred strain they are not familiar with).” In other words, rats are selective in who they help. However, this behavior changes the more familiar rats become with members of their outgroup.

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#13

Working People Are My People!

Working People Are My People!

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Pungent Sauce
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always keep in mind that your employer is paying you the least amount they feel they can to keep you around(Sure, there are exceptions, but 98% are).

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#14

Art Is For Everyone

Art Is For Everyone

Theworldslullabye , singingwithoutwords Report

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Enuya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This! It's so hard to start anything new as an adult since everybody expects at your age you have to be nearly professional!

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“The encouraging thing is that we then found that cohabitation, living with a rat from the other strain for two weeks totally changes this behavior, and now rats will help that cagemate from the other strain. Even more impressively, after living together for two weeks with one rat of the other strain, they will help strangers from the other strain as well,” Bartal said.

The scientist added that social experience is actually what determines whether or not rats help each other, not their genetic similarity. Bartal said that in one case, rats were fostered at birth with those from another strain. “Like Mowgli, they were raised with the other strain and never encountered their own kind. When they grew up, they only helped rats of the adoptive strain, not the biological strain.”

#17

With Open Arms

With Open Arms

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Buren
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OLLA MILLY I UNDERSTAND I THINK IT'S TIME THAT I NEED READING GLASS. I HATE THAT I HAVE TO SKIP A LOT OF BP POST BECAUSE IT GIVES ME HEADACHE WHEN I TRY TO READ THEM FROM THE PHONE

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In Bartal’s view, a lot of the discussion on animal empathy gets stuck on semantic issues. “For instance, the definition of empathy, how can we say that animals really feel empathy the same way we do. But empathy is a construct. We don’t even know what it is in humans really!” she said.

“I operate on the assumption that there is an evolutionary continuum between species, and that the basic building blocks of our responses are shared. Being sensitive to distress in others and motivated to care about their suffering is as old as the moment mother and child became connected for survival after birth.”

#19

I Liked This One

I Liked This One

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Demi Zwaan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly! I almost always play easy mode, because I suck at them, but still enjoy them. Gaming is supposed to be fun, relaxing and a way to escape reality, not a second job! Unless it is your job, of course :D

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#20

Can’t Decide Whether This Belongs Here Or In Humansbeingbros

Can’t Decide Whether This Belongs Here Or In Humansbeingbros

mrbuh Report

#23

Anyone Can Play Games

Anyone Can Play Games

SquooshyMarshmallows Report

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Lisa T
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yay for “mature” gamers. I’m 50 and still a gamer, and will be as long as I can.

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#24

Liberal Arts

Liberal Arts

Manealendil Report

#25

Gaming Is For Everyone

Gaming Is For Everyone

Ok_Count_6342 Report

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Katie Lutesinger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad never had any sons. He introduced his two daughters to video games and motorcycle racing. I became a lifelong gaming enthusiast, and my little sister bought a motorbike. :D

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#27

Drink What You Like!!!

Drink What You Like!!!

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#29

A Novel‘S Worth Of Nerd S**t

A Novel‘S Worth Of Nerd S**t

sarahhollowell Report

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Kira Okah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wil talk your ear off about Animorphs lore and Chinese history, my partner about spaceship design and Lego models. It's wonderful :D We may also be combining those and trying to see if we can design and create a Lego blade ship :P It should be great!

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#30

Let People Be Happy

Let People Be Happy

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

100%. I do not possess a single checked shirt or any blue jeans. However, I do have two skirts and mostly autumn colour jeans.

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#31

Wholesome Hotel

Wholesome Hotel

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Enuya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's wrong with this room? I'm going on vacation to do some sightseeing and hiking, not to stay in a hotel room anyway.

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#32

Let's Just Love Everyone

Let's Just Love Everyone

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If anyone wants to continue the heartwarming goodwill, Jewish Voice for Peace is a great organization that supports Palestinian self-determination, supports peace and justice in the Middle East, and stands against anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, and anti-Arab bigotry.

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#33

Like What You Like

Like What You Like

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#36

Vegan BBQ

Vegan BBQ

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Kira Okah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too true, mm grilled tomatoes. Though as a vegetarian I would rather that they weren't put on the grill after the meat, maybe a separate grill for the veggies.

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#37

You're Never Too Old For Success

You're Never Too Old For Success

trying_my_okayest Report

#38

This Subreddit In A Nutshell. This Applies To So Many Communities

This Subreddit In A Nutshell. This Applies To So Many Communities

every_daydad Report

#39

When The Old Becomes New Again

When The Old Becomes New Again

Dena_Roth Report

#40

Love Is Always Valid. Assume The Best First!

Love Is Always Valid. Assume The Best First!

kfreshhhIN Report

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Celeste Grant
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this! i am truly loved for the first time in my life, and im in my early 40s. its amazing and i want to share that. If you've always had that it might seem a bit lame to post about it, but take a second to consider experiencing it for the first time

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#41

Love What You Are

Love What You Are

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I I
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my kids , well 2 boys , work from home , most friends are online , all over the world , if i'd of had that at 16 i'd never have left my house . just like them

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#43

I Love My Grandma So Much. She Got Her Point Across Without Being Mean To The Family Friend

I Love My Grandma So Much. She Got Her Point Across Without Being Mean To The Family Friend

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Romenriel
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love that the person is not being righteous and dismissive, they set clear boundaries but are willing to reach out and help the first person understand.

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Bobby
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll be the first to admit I don't really get it, but I try, and until I do I just have to respect people and their situation and support it to the best of my ability.

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Got Myself 4 Dwarves
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same. But I just go by the attitude that I don't really need to fully understand it to respect someone's wishes and beliefs - I mean, can anyone fully understand without being in that persons head? I don't really understand what it means to feel like a girl or boy or neither but then I've never felt that I'm in the wrong body even when I hated it and suffered an eating disorder. It's not that hard to just respect someone's wishes is it? I'm sure that person doesn't expect perfection from day one and understands that there will be slips through habit and it's not meant to be nasty, I long for the day when you can just express your identity/sexuality and basically any part of your own being and it's met with a nod and everyone just carries on drama free

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Jacob Nunez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes Grandmas can say “F**k You” in the most professional manner

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Alex the Country Dog
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But the opposite is exactly the point. Grandma didn't even imply "F**k You." Grandma owned her grandchild wholly and completely, while embracing a long term friendship, and inviting that person to learn more and change. I believe the phrase you're looking for here is called "Bless you."

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Kitty Jordan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to be the grandma, but it takes a lot of strength and fortitude to continue to be kind and gentle when faced with bigotry, and I fail a lot.

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My ordinary life
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I respect the grandma staying calm so much cause I would have cussed the sh*t out of this person.

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just love that OP used a gender neutral pronoun while ranting about gender neutral not existing. "their head"

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Sarah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Using the plural pronoun to refer to a single person of unspecified gender has been around in English for a long time!

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Mike Martínez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why’s it so hard for some ppl to respect an individual’s personal experience? It’s no big deal to be respectful externally of the internal experience of someone else.

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Gregg Bender
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Biology is...messy. People are too judgmental and need to take a few college level biology classes.

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Shane S
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do people care so much? I’ll call you an Artichoke if that’s what you want. I may get it wrong the first couple of times but just keep correcting me and I’ll get it.

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RoseTheMad
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parents never put this kinda thing in my head - in fact, my father in particular I was scared to come out to, it took him a while to understand, and I was ok with that, sometimes he still doesn't get it, but he's not hateful about it at least. But if it was our parents putting that idea in our heads, about wether we're trans, nonbinary, gay etc, why are so many of us scared to come out, hell, some people grow up in homophobic as f**k households but may still be trans/NB/LGBTQIA+ etc. :/

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Justin Seagull
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is the point of telling others how to identify themselves? If their perspectives bothers you, then stay away from them. You can rightfully refuse if they are imposing any ideas on you, but otherwise leave people be.

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StarWars Freak19
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love supportive grandparents. I came out as queer to my grandma and she started telling me about all her queer friends from the 60s

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Wednesday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and biologically there are at least four genders, physically, at least... male, female, intersex (born with male and female genitalia), and sexless/non-binary (born with no genitalia). The rule should be: Are you happy? everyone is safe? Do what you want.

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Evelyn Haskins
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry. Your behaviour is NOT you biological sex. It is extremely aggravating. What your jollies are is entirely your (and your partner's) buisiness -- nobody else's and I don't want to hear about it, anyway. I'm sorry but I find this emphasis on what sexual games you play with whom totally offensive.

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Barbara Baldwin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tell them to read "Molecules of Emotion" by Candice Pert. It explains everything

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Glenn Zoontjens
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not to be in any way dismissive of the amazing reply from Grandma, nor justifying a lack of understanding around other people's struggle with their own sexual identity, it is interesting that the OP has chosen to place an "Autism" tag at the bottom of their profile picture. Not sure if people realise a couple of things about people of the autism spectrum (ASD): 1) being very left brained, they have difficulty with things that do not have a definitive answer so seeing something that, in a very traditional way or from a strictly anatomical sense, is black and white is now being described as multiple shades of grey is difficult to comprehend. 2) while most people with an ASD try very hard to mimic the way neurotypicals converse, be it verbally or in written form, they are not big on "small talk" and can seem blunt, rude, aggressive or even nasty/mean and that they typically display limited (if any) emotional association to their comments can accentuate that air of rudeness.

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Dee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good observation! I hadn’t noticed that and it does add a layer of complexity doesn’t it?

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GoddessOdd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the "I know you're not a person to judge" when clearly, they are exactly such a person. That must have rocked them back a bit.

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Tonya Wallace
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Kevin Wright
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And intersex doesn’t exist, of course. It's definitely not a thing.

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Pungent Sauce
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s a great meme that’s just the pic of ordering a gender positive shirt off Amazon, but really, be who you want to, life’s too short to do otherwise.

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Jarrod Nichols
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't declaring yourself non-binary just dividing everyone into either binary or non-binary, and thus becoming binary again?

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#44

Can't Argue With Mom!

Can't Argue With Mom!

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ElenaK
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't it LGBTQA, to include also queer and Asexuals? I think this is the full acronym.

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#45

Like What You Like

Like What You Like

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#47

As A Metal Head, Everyone Is Welcome!

As A Metal Head, Everyone Is Welcome!

IveKnownItAll Report

#49

Fire

Fire

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aj B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah still weird this ever became taboo, last time I checked, about 5 seconds ago, I am male and have nipples, no one complains if I run around Without a shirt entirely.

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#50

Play The Game Any Way You Want

Play The Game Any Way You Want

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Kira Okah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have this exact same mod! Xaero's Minimap mod! Lifesaver! I get so lost so easily while exploring, queen of falling down every single bloody hole in the game. Love this mod.

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