On June 14, the day of Donald Trump’s birthday, Twitter threw a birthday party of their own, inviting all to attend the #LGBTQHatesTrumpParty—then #GaysForTrump bit back, sparking a mini-battle on Twitter feeds.
But today, a new hashtag has emerged, one void of political affiliation but full of personal pride. #QueerSelfLove has become a welcoming refuge for the LGBT community to introduce themselves as whomever they want, however they want—whether that’s through photos, a simple, “Hi, my name is” introduction, or personal anecdotes in the wake of the Orlando shooting.
Dylan Marron, an actor on the “Welcome to Night Vale” podcast and creator of the hashtag, expressed his distraught for his LGBT family on Twitter after the death of 49 people and 53 injured at Pulse, a gay Orlando night club:
To all my LGBTQI family: I love you and I celebrate you. We lost many siblings last night in Orlando. Let's hold each other close today.
— Dylan Marron (@dylanmarron) June 12, 2016
Last night, Marron’s #QueerSelfLove hashtag surfaced, with the support of his co-star Cecil Baldwin. The “Queer Self Love” train is now trending on Twitter, and both actors have received copious amounts of support, as they have reminded everyone to appreciate, accept, and advocate for one another.
I am a soft-spoken brown queer man who wears his mother's pearl earrings. And I love my queerness. Let's start a #queerselflove hashtag
— Dylan Marron (@dylanmarron) June 15, 2016
I love you, @CecilBaldwinIII. https://t.co/LT2ZyOU2Ee
— Dylan Marron (@dylanmarron) June 15, 2016
I'm a homosexual, almost 20 years out of the closet, still struggle with depression, still fighting. #queerselflove pic.twitter.com/YGHmFyw7bu
— FotoCub is on Bl*sky (@FotoCub) June 15, 2016
I'm a queer, genderfluid transmasc. guy who NEVER took selfies/liked photos before figuring it out. #queerselflove pic.twitter.com/qgOzutTSSv
— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) June 15, 2016
I'm fat bi survivor of abuse, I fought long and hard to own my femininity & love other women instead of competing w them. #queerselflove
— Hettie Bell (@HettieBelleau) June 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/sexgodoakley/status/742921584755630080
I'm a queer Christian with learning disabilities, body image issues and lots of self doubt. I love myself anyway! #queerselflove
— Tad Hopp (@taderpillar) June 15, 2016
And some are simply using the hashtag to support others and thank Marron for creating the communal space:
thank you @dylanmarron for this lovely space you created on the internet with #queerselflove https://t.co/B2QEhputYx
— jonny sun (@jonnysun) June 15, 2016
All the hearts to those of you who don't feel comfortable or safe enough to post in #queerselflove ❤️💛💚💙💜
— aster (@easternfolly) June 15, 2016
The #queerselflove hashtag is a beautiful thing. I hope it keeps trending.
— A M Y C H U #donutkiller 👽 (@AmyChu) June 15, 2016
friendly reminder that it's okay to be confused about your sexuality, it's fluid and it's scary and labels aren't necessary #queerselflove
— julie!! (@neptunenfp) June 15, 2016
But most are proudly claiming their queerness, no matter their color, religion, or lifestyle:
I am a disabled queer woman of color, I'm an artist of many forms, I live openly and authentically #QueerSelfLove pic.twitter.com/gIrDXTtlZY
— Annie Segarra (@annieelainey) June 15, 2016
Muslim bi/queer & mixed, big fan of robots and werewolves and art #queerselflove pic.twitter.com/O6qnuqfdxg
— autumn cs (werewolf sjw) (@Akitron) June 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/OhHeyDJ/status/743119387058573312
I'm aromantic & asexual. Both queer & Muslim, whole in myself. Also, I love ace pride hijabs #queerselflove pic.twitter.com/lU3sCyWg2C
— Laura (@muhajabah) June 15, 2016
#queerselflove gotta love myself cos im the only one I've got pic.twitter.com/Chqatc9iMa
— liz (in the style of a league of their own (2022)) (@sweatingrandma) June 15, 2016
I am very queer and my wife is very bi. We've been together ten years & we're cute af. #queerselflove pic.twitter.com/bmzlhM68Rm
— Jenna (@jennalykes) June 15, 2016
The hashtag has become an unstoppable and uplifting force—during a time when we all need it.