this post was submitted on 23 Jun 2023
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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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[–] [email protected] 34 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year 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.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

they also make a pink one i think!

[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year 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

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

You know the funny thing is "blahaj" directly translates to "blue shark" in Swedish.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

How efficient

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Well, "blåhaj" to be precise

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Sorry, pal. I just like hyperlinks.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

A couple shitheads in this thread. 😂

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

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago

Please report shitheads. We do not allow shitheads.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year 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.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year 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.