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 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (3 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 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.

[–] [email protected] 9 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.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years 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 2 years ago

they also make a pink one i think!

[–] [email protected] 21 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 years ago

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

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 years ago (2 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

How efficient

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

Well, "blåhaj" to be precise

[–] [email protected] 13 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

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 years 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] 14 points 2 years ago

Please report shitheads. We do not allow shitheads.

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

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

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

Sorry, pal. I just like hyperlinks.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

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

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 7 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.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago

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

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

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

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years 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 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.