Hello beautiful anon, Your English is perfectly understandable. Thanks for the ask!

The story is about Link’s broken pelvis. And I believe that happened some time in college. Correct me if I am wrong in my thinking. The video can be found here and they talk about it here at the end of this video. If there are other instances, please link me to them MB’s. Thank you anon for stopping by and we are glad you enjoy our blog.

Seems like there is no permanent damage to that pelvis, though. Thank goodness.

- @razle-dazle

- @withasideofcrazy

It is from Jaymie Nunnery’s Twitter. 

First of all, we do NOT know RandL’s sexual identity.  They are married, yes. Being married to women does not necessitate heterosexuality. We do NOT know for sure – there are any number of identities: bisexual, pansexual and others they can identify with- and we don’t have to know. It is not our business.

Second of all, how can you see these two men and think they are homophobic? How are you even a fan if you think that these entertaining and kind men have any kind of hatred in their heart?

True they were raised in a anti-LGBTQ biased community. They have that shit ingrained. But people who have true hate in their hearts and minds let that feeling bleed into their actions. Let’s analyze their actions.

Just because you grow up in that type of mindset, doesn’t mean it is a permanent fixture of your heart and actions.

Third of all, everyone is affected by homophobia. We are all people of this earth and hate, anger and bigotry affects everyone. It affects how we view our world. It causes wars and violence. It affects the LGBTQ people in our families, our children, our friendships, our work mates. Even if RandL are 100% straight (which first of all we mentioned we don’t know and second, sexuality is a fluid concept) does NOT mean that they can never be harassed by people who think that they are otherwise.

And living in the environment that they did, I am certain that harassment was a way of life for people that identified as a member of LGBTQ community and for anyone that “seemed” like they did. Anyone can be harassed for any reason. And the fear of being hated or bullied or put down because people think you are a certain way can lead people to act differently to protect themselves.  We are unsure that RandL felt that fear, but there was certainly a possibility for it. And because of that, we think it is wonderful that they were able to overcome that type of culture.    

Finally, how can you say for a fact that they were never affected by homophobia? We want to parallel this issue with the issue of racism. It was clear that they were affected by racism in the simple fact that in EB Childhoods, Link tells a story about an African American boy in his class that he wanted to be friends with. He said that he couldn’t be friends with him because he was African American and those things weren’t done in that day and time.  This experience limited Link’s world view. It made him think that he couldn’t be friends with this boy and that it was wrong to be this person’s friend. That this person was wrong just for being a certain skin color. He was affected by the racism of his time. Furthering this idea to homophobia,  we can bet that this happened with those that identify as LGBTQ.  Just because people are not actively railing against this, doesn’t mean that there isn’t an undercurrent and cultural norm associated with these individuals. It can seriously skew your idea of the world and limit your experience.

Disclaimer: We are not saying that any one person’s experience is better or worse than another and definitely not saying that RandL was braver or as brave as the people who experienced the types of hatred detailed in this analysis. We ARE saying that it is admirable that RandL were able to climb out of this culture and become the friends they are.

No matter how much or how little hate there happened to be, there was STILL an underlying feel that members of the LGBTQ community are wrong and immoral. It was a product of the times and society. And it’s STILL around. Just look at what’s happening with the persecution of trans people.  

You can NOT deny these things were going on. You can also NOT deny that men or women that display interests/features that aren’t within people’s ideals of ‘how men and women should be’ are labelled as being gay/lesbian, regardless of how they identify.  

And you can not deny that males that are close as RandL may have be seen as gay individuals. It is the ignorance of some in a society that do not or choose not to know any better

And yet, despite all this, they became the people they are today. It would have be so much easier to drown in this kind of world and not battle with the concepts learned as a child.  So the fact that they were able to say, “I love you to a man”, pierce their ears, wear women’s clothing, pretend to be women for comedy, hug their male best friend, follow/support each other through life, act in feminine ways, hire members of the LGBTQ community and befriend/love them is an important deal.

@razle-dazle @withasideofcrazy

Of course their families promoted their friendship. We were not saying anything to the contrary. The analysis and our resulting commentary was highlighting the issues that were going on in that time period and their possible effects on RandL.

It is obvious that there were huge issues surrounding LBGQT people when RandL were young. You can NOT deny that. And you can NOT deny the fact that fear leads to violence and bigotry. Just because RandL did not mention toxic masculinity or LBGQT issues, does NOT mean that there wasn’t hatred, discrimination and the general idea that people that identify in this way are wrong or immoral. You just have to read what Ethan has written to get a tiny glimpse of what was going on. Not just in the south, everywhere. 

It also, does not mean that there wasn’t a push to conform to whatever standards of masculinity were purposefully or unconsciously set forth in their town and circles of influence.

Let’s put homophobia aside for the time being. And just focus on the state of male relationships in the USA. There is an epidemic of “toxicity masculinity.” How it is looked down upon for men to form close bonds with anyone other than their wife, kids and parents. Even within this, close physical affection between any male, even between parents and kids is looked down upon. Male closeness is NOT celebrated. Male friendship is depicted as a bunch of males drinking and talking about tits in movies and TV shows. It is not best friends seeing each other through life or supporting each other in their endeavors. No, that “type of friendship” is reserved for women. And why is that? Why can’t male friends have that type of relationship? Why can’t male friends hug and touch and be close? Because masculinity has been portrayed in a certain way, as is the measure of what is to be a man. Men can’t cry, be physically affectionate or express feelings and doubt. To act any different to these standards is seen as weird, strange and oftentimes gay.

We are certain two good ole boys from the South were inundated with these images and ideas of what a man is. It is clear in the way they act toward one another in the Kasts. It’s like they are constantly battling between what is ingrained in them of what a man should be and what their hearts are wanting from them.

Just because you don’t see the toxicity, anon, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Just because you are not necessarily put down or oppressed doesn’t mean there isn’t the fear you could be. Just because they did not say they acted a certain way to be accepted or felt the pressure to conform doesn’t mean it never happened.

We find it admirable that even though they were raised in this type of environment where this kind of hate was the norm and where male friendships were not seen as important, that they were able to form the close bonds despite all of that.

 @razle-dazle  @withasideofcrazy

Thanks anon for the question, we’ll try our best to answer it.

We can only speculate and we are very good at doing that. But Rhett comes across as somewhat of a naturalist rather than someone who gets sexual pleasure from exhibiting himself. He has many times mentioned “Wanting the hair to do what it wants to do” and most recently admitting that he wants to overcome society’s shaming of the naked body.  According the the If I Were You Podcast, Rhett also admits to enjoying sex in the great outdoors.  Rhett has said many times in the past that he loves to be naked, even sleeps naked. But in the “our Nudist Encounter” vid, does mention that he found it awkward being naked in front of other people. Even if he tried to ‘own it’ and enjoy the ‘primal’ feeling of showering out in the open.

Sexuality seems to fascinate Link. And he seems to revel in being able to explore these   different facets of his sexuality in public, in front of Rhett and in front of the camera.

IE: the spanking, the switching, the many episodes where they played with electricity, every time he wiggles his butt or strips off his sweater in a certain way twice, and more recently, his excited body language at the idea of showering in front of a camera where people could see him.

So while Rhett is more comfortable in his own skin, Link is the one that wants to show off his body and experience his darker, more private side in front of others.

Hello my dear and wonderful person,Never, ever feel stupid for coming to our analyzingrhink’s inbox and wanting to talk. We are always happy to listen and interact (although we have not gotten the hang of this shared blog experience and asks are slow to be answer. Sorry!)

I have sat and thought about your question a while, my anon. While it does not hurt that they are adorable and sexy as all get out, and I am of the Rhink sided mind, I am here for much more. I find everything about them inspiring. And these are in no particular order. It is just me letting the words flow as they may.

RandL has inspired me to write, to analyze, to interact with a group of people that are similar and so very different than I am. I have found so many friends and had so many lovely conversations. And RandL caused that. RandL curated a community that accepts newcomers and welcomes them with open arms. Without RandL I would not have the friends I do or have found my creative energy again.

On the same thread of RandL being an inspiration, I urge you to take a look @mythicalbeastnation’s post. It is life lessons with RandL. They not only inspire, but are good role models for what an adult can be. It is not all responsibility and work. It is laughter, it is friendship, it is finding your happiness and seeing your fear and diving head first to conquer it. Beyond their friendship is their success story. Two rural boys from homophobic, small town NC (submitted post on that coming soon from @ethanthegeek.Which will open your eyes more to how rare a thing their friendship really is.) No one knew them and they had no hopes of ever becoming famous. They said in a Creator’s Guild podcast with Hank Green, that none of the people they knew were entertainers. It was not on their radar. Yet still, they took steps to make their life the way they had envisioned it to be. It was part luck, but mostly blind dedication and hard work.

I have to touch on their friendship, anon. Because that is what attracted me to this in the first place. Their story is remarkable and their friendship is a miracle. I need to draw your attention to this post, this post and this post by @afangirlsplaylist) and this post by @feliznavidang. They are pure soul mates and life partners. Their bond is stronger than anything I have ever experienced and that is what keeps me coming back even when the fandom is in drama, even when I have no creative energy, even when I am tired and busy and depressed. This friendship is incredible to watch.

Even as I sit here, pondering my love of RandL, I am sure there are many more things I love that are slipping my mind. I am just as obsessed as the next RandL fan. Obviously, I have a main blog and a shared side blog, I write, I gif and I talk about RandL. There is no need to worry about being obsessive, my friend. You are in good company! Thank you for the lovely ask and BYMB. –Razle

@razle-dazle @withasideofcrazy

@razle-dazle @withasideofcrazy

Anon continued … .When I said it was dangerous, I meant it as in it was dangerous to a growing fandom with two types of impressionable people in it. Take one look at the IG fandom and you’ll see- total delusion and a mighty rift between people who ship and people who don’t.

Hello again, anon. Thank you for elaborating on your thoughts and feelings. It is not our intent to create a or further the rift between shippers and non-shippers. We are all in this together for the good of RandL and our combined love of their friendship as well as the laughter they give to our daily lives. We have met some very nice people in this fandom and we want to extend that positivity that was given to us when we first entered to others. We also want to enjoy our creative endeavors free from judgement.  And judgement we felt from your post, whether it was based on fact or not.  So forgive us of any wrong assumptions, as we will of you, we do not wish to further any negativity between us.

Going forward, to comment on your teens to twenty one year old idea. Thirteen to seventeen year olds are grouped in the “children” we referred to in our previous post. We do not believe it is appropriate for them, but it is not our call to make. We further the idea that it is also our right to participate in the fandom in the way we enjoy. As is for any shipper or RandL fan. And this is a combined joy for us in body language analysis in terms of Rhink. 

We are not disillusioned to the fact that many people out there see it as absolute fact and others see it as absolute fiction. We lie somewhere in the middle and enjoy the creativity, thrills and fun it provides. We do not believe that we should have to censor ourselves and our thoughts because there are people in this world (young, old or new fans alike) that can not tell the difference. It is not our job to think for them. People choose to believe what they want no matter what we write or don’t write, feel or don’t feel, think or act upon. 

We understand that this concern is very real for you, as it may be for others. And you have provided some startling facts of the other fandoms. It is our hope that whomever reads our analyses can decipher the reality for themselves. 

Thank you for stopping by again and we hope that you can find something here that you enjoy. 

@razle-dazle @withasideofcrazy