A Duck's Pad

Guys!! Guys!! It's finally here! And queer! And my hands hurt! Help

I'm finally beginning to work on the long awaited comic "To The Wisps"! The first page/intro is posted now!

Please check me out on Tapas! I am very excited about this!

-Friembd is doing a comic now givin the boost-

Gee, Tumblr would probably really hate it if you shared and spread this damning article … To the surprise of absolutely none of Tumblr’s LGBTQ users, it turns out the independent NYC human rights agency Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) found that Tumblr’s ham-fisted adult content ban in December 2018 disproportionately targeted LGBTQ users. The CCHR’s investigation revealed Tumbler’s moderation algorithms is demonstrably biased against queer content. As part of the settlement, Tumblr was obligated to review their prejudicial anti-gay moderation policies. Even more mortifyingly, they’ve also had to hire an expert on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) issues and provide unconscious bias training to their moderators. I frankly doubt Tumblr has learned a thing from this humbling experience. Just recently the Tumblr algorithm flagged three ancient posts of mine as violating their terms. All three “offenders” were vintage homoerotic beefcake images (softcore by modern standards) roughly 50 – 65-years-old by Bruce of Los Angeles, Bob Mizer and Tom of Finland. (These are of course pioneering queer artists who routinely faced censorship and imprisonment in the fifties and sixties. Plus ca change!). They've been visible on my page - corrupting viewers -  for years at this point. I appealed all three immediately. Only the Tom of Finland one was approved. The other two are now hidden. So, they haven't learned much. Apparently, Tumblr – who loves to declare how hip, youthful, inclusive and progressive their values are - wants to restore trust with their queer users. I’d recommend we remember their hypocrisy when Pride rolls around and Tumblr splashes rainbow flags everywhere and attempts to pink wash their image.

In honour of Pride Month, this is worth a reblog! Don’t buy into Tumblr’s hypocritical “pink washing.” 

@duckiefishpond moved so as not to clutter your art post!

“Thank you,” Queenie hums happily. “It is, isn’t it? Yes, thank you both. I wanted to have it in the springtime, but I want us to be married before my darling’s next birthday, so March-to-April is best.” 

She tilts her head as Sephia explains her ‘children’. “I see . . . well, they’re quite welcome here. You have a child of your own?” Queenie raises her eyebrows. “Quite right. This is one of my favourite holidays, I don’t see why I should deny myself a celebration just because I’m older. If I must have a social event each year, I want it to be this one.”

“That’s true. I probably don’t given how my father was,” Cole joked.

“Speaking to dead is easy when you are skilled in magic,” Cole chuckled, “Dealing with the dead is Sephia’s father’s profession.”

“One more than,” Cole bowed before taking Julia’s hands again.

From a distance, Sephia was chuckling away; obviously enjoying the sight. Seemed she seemed happy Julia was having a good time.

@duckiefishpond moved so as not to clutter your art post!

“Thank you,” Queenie hums happily. “It is, isn’t it? Yes, thank you both. I wanted to have it in the springtime, but I want us to be married before my darling’s next birthday, so March-to-April is best.” 

She tilts her head as Sephia explains her ‘children’. “I see . . . well, they’re quite welcome here. You have a child of your own?” Queenie raises her eyebrows. “Quite right. This is one of my favourite holidays, I don’t see why I should deny myself a celebration just because I’m older. If I must have a social event each year, I want it to be this one.”

“I suppose that is true. The happiest I’ve ever been is with my wife and my daughter. Her friends and family have welcomed me with open arms. But sometimes I still wonder; who they were and if they ever knew I existed. Even after all this time, I still don’t feel comfortable going back to my place of birth,” Cole remarked.

Noticing Queen as they danced by, Cole gave a lift of his cap as a hello before returning to dancing.

“Not at all Miss Julia. I have come to find the ones considered the craziest, usually have some of the wisest stories to tell. If it wasn’t Halloween, I would suggest a chat with James, my wife’s father. I think you would find a hoot out of him,” Cole laughed.

Continuing to dance, Cole threw Julia into a dip as the music came to a close.

“That was fun my dear. Care for another?” Cole asked.

@duckiefishpond moved so as not to clutter your art post!

“Thank you,” Queenie hums happily. “It is, isn’t it? Yes, thank you both. I wanted to have it in the springtime, but I want us to be married before my darling’s next birthday, so March-to-April is best.” 

She tilts her head as Sephia explains her ‘children’. “I see . . . well, they’re quite welcome here. You have a child of your own?” Queenie raises her eyebrows. “Quite right. This is one of my favourite holidays, I don’t see why I should deny myself a celebration just because I’m older. If I must have a social event each year, I want it to be this one.”

“Don’t step on her toes now,” Sephia chuckled as she waved them off.

Cole just gave a grunt.

Leading Julia to the floor, Cole takes her hand and leads her into a slow dance.

“I admit, I might be a little jealous of Queenie; and perhaps my wife. I never grew up knowing extended family. Even if ideals are different, I would think she could appreciate what she has. You seem like a woman with a lot of life experience. Shame it seems it’s taken for not,” Cole comments.

Taking Julia into a slow spin, you could hear Sephia clapping in the back. Seems Cole might not have been that great of a dancer when he met Sephia. Though he seems to be holding it well at the moment.

@duckiefishpond moved so as not to clutter your art post!

“Thank you,” Queenie hums happily. “It is, isn’t it? Yes, thank you both. I wanted to have it in the springtime, but I want us to be married before my darling’s next birthday, so March-to-April is best.” 

She tilts her head as Sephia explains her ‘children’. “I see . . . well, they’re quite welcome here. You have a child of your own?” Queenie raises her eyebrows. “Quite right. This is one of my favourite holidays, I don’t see why I should deny myself a celebration just because I’m older. If I must have a social event each year, I want it to be this one.”

Sephia points to Cole.

“He’s always jealous of guys looking at me. Though I don’t like them looking at me anyway. Ignored for so long and then when I’m actually married, they start paying attention to me. I don’t like it,” Sephia remarked.

Blushing, Sephia chuckled hesitantly.

“Guys ignored me so dating was hard. Cole’s been the best that has happen to me,” Sephia smiled.

“She’s my world,” Cole remarked as he lifted his mask up to quickly kiss Sephia’s cheek.

Grabbing their drinks, they drink to Julia’s remark.

“Again, if I had brought my brother, him and his husband live for a good threesome,” Sephia chuckled.

Pulling the mask back up, Col whispered in Sephia’s ear; her smiling and nodding.

Getting up, Cole held a hand out for Julia.

“Care for a dance my lady?” Cole ask.

@duckiefishpond moved so as not to clutter your art post!

“Thank you,” Queenie hums happily. “It is, isn’t it? Yes, thank you both. I wanted to have it in the springtime, but I want us to be married before my darling’s next birthday, so March-to-April is best.” 

She tilts her head as Sephia explains her ‘children’. “I see . . . well, they’re quite welcome here. You have a child of your own?” Queenie raises her eyebrows. “Quite right. This is one of my favourite holidays, I don’t see why I should deny myself a celebration just because I’m older. If I must have a social event each year, I want it to be this one.”

“Ah, grey faces! Makes so much sense now!” Sephia chuckled, “Such trouble makers those shadows are. They do the craziest of things.”

“Nothing wrong with it but when you are trying to get healthy weight on him, sweets doesn’t always count for it,” Sephia chuckled before poking Cole.

“Yes, but the proteins shakes you give are awful tasting,” Cole huff.

“That stuff never tastes good but it helps get extra proteins in you,” Sephia remarked.

Crossing her fingers together and leaning her head on them with elbows on the table, Sephia listens in.

“Hmm, play girl I see. Hehe, nothing wrong with that. People have such a downward connotation to sex and sex work. I find it silly. I will never understand who thought purity was important,” Sephia remarks, “Though that’s coming from the mouth of a girl who couldn’t even get to a second date let alone a first for like forever till she met her husband.”

Continuing to listen, Sephia could tell Julia was a little heartfell.

“People’s notions of things are always different. Some like it, some don’t. It will be alright. I say enjoy what you have, if at least in the moment. Tonight is a night to have fun, yes?” Sephia spoke.

@duckiefishpond moved so as not to clutter your art post!

“Thank you,” Queenie hums happily. “It is, isn’t it? Yes, thank you both. I wanted to have it in the springtime, but I want us to be married before my darling’s next birthday, so March-to-April is best.” 

She tilts her head as Sephia explains her ‘children’. “I see . . . well, they’re quite welcome here. You have a child of your own?” Queenie raises her eyebrows. “Quite right. This is one of my favourite holidays, I don’t see why I should deny myself a celebration just because I’m older. If I must have a social event each year, I want it to be this one.”

Chuckling, Sephia smiled as eyes returned to normal.

“I can do a lot of things which has earned me a lot of respect over the years. Even now, shadows still know my name and fear it,” Sephia chuckled, “Though I am curious. The air around you gives off the sense of magic that not many should use. Gives a pungent smell to my nose that makes my deathly senses go off. I’m assuming thy self is an unexpected guest of the evening? I wonder how that happen.”

Munching away at the deserts, Cole was just staying quite and listening in.

“You going to munch away all night?” Sephia joked at him.

“It’s good sweets,” Cole chuckled.

Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, Sephia remarks, “He loves sweets. Actually, if you are dragon, what was your horde? I knew one who loved anything that was silver. Just silver. Nothing more, nothing less.”

@duckiefishpond moved so as not to clutter your art post!

“Thank you,” Queenie hums happily. “It is, isn’t it? Yes, thank you both. I wanted to have it in the springtime, but I want us to be married before my darling’s next birthday, so March-to-April is best.” 

She tilts her head as Sephia explains her ‘children’. “I see . . . well, they’re quite welcome here. You have a child of your own?” Queenie raises her eyebrows. “Quite right. This is one of my favourite holidays, I don’t see why I should deny myself a celebration just because I’m older. If I must have a social event each year, I want it to be this one.”

“Oooh, that sounds awful. Alexandria...she was absent. Not cruel. Just not wanting to be there. I don’t think she realized what she had gotten into and out of the blue, just, disappeared. My brother was heartbroken,” Sephia sighed, “I tried my best but I wasn’t the mother Marissa wanted. A good aunt, but not her mother.”

Listening in, Sephia nodded.

“For me, it’s more a double life. Wisk away from the glimmer to have something mundane. I like it that way. But I can’t forget where I come from and my royal duties,” Sephia sighs.

“It isn’t hard to find. More so time to get here,” Sephia continues.

At the disguise remarked, Sephia chuckled.

“Yes, I have plenty of magic. More than people expect. It’s just this time of year it can be a bit..” Sephia remarked as she closed her eyes before opening one that was solid black, “spooky.”