We have indeed entered a new era of AI technology. As this innovation makes waves in the art world people are asking, is this tech viable? Are tools like DALL-E 2, Midjourney, and NightCafe part of a technological renaissance or a short-lived trend? The answer you receive to this question will depend greatly on who you ask. However, one thing is certain. This technology definitely has its limitations. After one creator used the tool to generate 100 gay couples it’s clear that one of those limitations is diversity.
Meet Dan Leveille, Director of Product Marketing at Deviant Art. Leveille is also the developer of Equaldex, a tool that tracks the progress of LGBTQ+ rights across the world. Clearly well-versed in both tech and art, Leveille is uniquely positioned to opine on this particular matter. This is especially true because he frequently puts AI tools to the test. Leveille made headlines earlier this year when he used these tools to generate concept art of Tom Holland as Link from Legend of Zelda. He also used the tool to fan-cast all of the characters in the franchise.
What Do Gay Couples Look Like?
Leveille took the tools to task once again to test them on another prompt. “I asked Midjourney for 100 gay couples using the same simple prompt: ‘photo of a gay couple.'” said Leveille on Instagram. The result certainly raises eyebrows. As detailed as the images are almost every single couple is white, young, and skinny. In fact, many of them look almost identical.
It’s not impossible for these tools to generate people of color, but unless you ask for it, Midjourney delivers exclusively white, young, and skinny. Whether this is a result of the tool itself or a product of the sources it draws from is unclear. Either way, it’s plain to see that the tool is failing to compensate for a very real lack of diversity. White is not the default. Skinny is not the default. Young is not the default. There is no excuse for this misstep.
“Midjourney is one of the most amazing technologies I’ve ever used,” said Leveille. “But the lack of diversity is really concerning. 99% of the time, it defaults to White people unless you’ve specified.” Keep scrolling for more examples of the images the prompt generated. Take this as a reminder of the uphill battle faced by gay couples that aren’t white, skinny, and young.
Religion has long been a muse and source of inspiration for the great artists of the world. Unfortunately, artists from the Renaissance era had very little room to play around with explicitly gay imagery. Today artists have the freedom to explore every facet of their identity and areas of interest—although not without certain restrictions. Gay folks have a complex relationship with religion. There are gay religious people, of course, but many gay people have been scarred by religious institutions and family members. This doesn’t mean queer people are any less spiritual, it just means there’s more baggage. For artists like Rene Farias, baggage like this is a deep well of inspiration.
Currently living in Barcelona, Rene Farias works primarily with watercolor, oil, and graphite. With influences like Caravaggio, Bouguereau, Banksy, Norman Rockwell, and Tom of Finland, Farias has a vision that feels fully realized. His work is laden with gay religious symbolism, which has opened him up to quite a bit of criticism—particularly from the Catholic community. Being a queer artist, Farias also has to deal with homophobia regularly. As an artist that frequently explores taboos and stereotypes, this is something Farias appears to take in his stride. Although he has more freedom to explore his subject than many of his idols, Farias doesn’t exactly have free reign. “My biggest viewing platform is Instagram and Facebook,” says Farias. “Many times I have ideas that I must modify so that these platforms allow me to exhibit my work without censoring it or closing my account.”
Despite this Farias is determined to share his art with the world. Unafraid to pick at the seams of femininity and masculinity while deconstructing theology, Farias is resolute. If you ask us, his poignant work would certainly be admired by his forbearers. Follow Rene Farias on Instagram and shop his artwork, which ships worldwide, online. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
As amazing as it may seem, this was merely a sampling of Farias’ work. He doesn’t just create gay religious imagery either. A quick glance at his catalog and you’ll see recurring imagery from nature and mythology. Mermaids, minotaurs, fairies, snakes, and butterflies are the mainstays of his art, each interpretation a complex layer of influences. We highly recommend purchasing a piece for yourself or at least following Rene Farias on Instagram.
This time of year can be difficult if you’re LGBTQ+. Coming home to family, potentially to celebrate a religious holiday, puts many queer people in a vulnerable position. That’s why it’s so important to acknowledge those still struggling with feelings of inadequacy. Especially those with unsupportive family members or those cut off from a supportive community. During the last performance of his The More the Merrier Christmas Tour, David Archuleta shared a tearful message that will touch the hearts of many gay people this holiday season.
Who is David Archuleta?
David Archuleta is an American pop singer best known for his appearance on American Idol. Archuleta is also known for being raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The singer came out in the summer of 2021 and recently opened up to the public about his crisis of faith. Despite the church’s best attempts to keep him, and find him “a good girl,” Archuleta decided it was best to part ways rather than deal with more homophobic abuse.
The More The Merrier Tour
Archuleta announced a Christmas tour in Utah, Nevada, Texas, and Arizona called The More the Merrier Christmas Tour. The singer already made headlines when he opened up on stage in Delta, Utah about this faith crisis. In response, many fans walked out in protest. Archuleta’s response was unapologetic and it seems he was undeterred from speaking at future events.
During a 10-minute interlude at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Chandler, Arizona, the 31-year-old plucked away at his keyboard as he opened up to the audience. As he considered the next song he was about to sing, Archuleta spoke about his journey with faith and prayer. The singer recalled the moment this song came to him and the conflict it now creates in his mind. The song, called My Little Prayer, explores Archuleta’s pleas to God to change who he is. “I was afraid of who I was, and how I was,” said Archuleta. “I thought I needed to change that to be acceptable and be okay.”
“I started praying so much, just saying, ‘God, if you’re really there please, please change me.’”
Archuleta’s prayers to change his sexuality came from as early as age 12. These prayers would go unanswered even as Archuleta’s career took off and as he came close to marrying three different women. “I thought with due diligence and if I have enough faith he’ll answer my prayers and be able to change me to that I’m acceptable,” said Archuleta. “I would look at myself and I wasn’t the same as everyone else and the way that I was told I should be.”
Feeling Abandoned By God
As the years went by and Archuleta stayed the same, he came to a scary conclusion. Maybe God didn’t like him. “Or maybe I’m just not good enough, I don’t have enough faith, because I’m not changing,” said Archuleta. He went on to talk about his latest relationship with a woman for who he even bought an engagement ring. Archuleta spoke about how she said she felt unloved and uncared for in the relationship despite all of his best efforts. “I was just getting terrified because […] I knew that I wasn’t able to desire them in the way that they deserved to be and in the way that they wanted to be.”
“I was beginning to feel like I was a bad person for even being, you know, because I tried so hard and I thought, ‘I must just not be good enough. Maybe God cursed me because I’m still the way I am,’ and I was thinking, you know, ‘I don’t want to be here and be bad, so maybe it’s better that I’m not here because you’re so scared of yourself.'”
All of this led to severe anxiety attacks and even more prayer. “I didn’t want to be bad,” said Archuleta, getting choked up. “And I was feeling like I was a bad person just for even being.” Still gently playing the piano, Archuleta continued to pour his heart out. “I just thought I must not be good enough, maybe God cursed me,” he added. “I was thinking like, you know I don’t want to be here and be bad, so maybe it’s better that I’m not here.”
A Moment of Clarity
This incredibly vulnerable moment is one many in our community know well. It was at this low moment that Archuleta prayed that little prayer one last time. It was then that he received his answer. “I just felt this response saying, ‘David you need to stop asking me this,” said Archuleta. “‘You’ve been asking for over half of your life now for me to change you when I don’t see anything to change about you […] You’re the way I intended for you to be.'” The response went on to tell David that they don’t see him the way “a lot of well-meaning people” see him.
“It was like the first time I was able to feel love for myself. It changed everything.”
It was at this point that Archuleta offered his own words of hard-won wisdom to the crowd. “If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong because of you being different, I just want you to know that it is worth you sticking around […] to live your life and be happy.”
Don’t Suffer In Silence
If you’re LGBTQ+ and dealing with thoughts of inadequacy or self-hatred, you are not alone. Keep reading for a list of LGBTQ+ resources available to you. You are loved and you are valid. You have a community that celebrates you whether you are out or not. Remember that.
1. Trevor Lifeline: Available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7385 2. Trevor Text: Text TREVOR to 1-202-304-1200 3. Trevor Chat: Via thetrevorproject.org. 4. Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
Ho ho ho, it’s the time of year again. A special time for all the gays with daddy issues to fanticize about their very own Santa, baby. The time for big strong men with beards to come down your chimney is upon us. His sack is full and he’s thirsty for milk. So what’s it gonna be? Have you been naughty or nice?
Unless you’re lucky enough to know a real-life Santa, you’ll have to get your spicy santa fix through other means. Lucky for you we’ve got you covered. We’re not the only ones with a thing for men who shake their belly’s like a bowl full of jelly. There are several artists out there who specialize in saucy depictions of Father Christmas. We’ve handpicked some of our favorites that will give you plenty of ideas this holiday season. Will you get lucky enough to see daddy kissing Santa Claus? Keep scrolling to find out.
If there’s one thing Silverjow knows, it’s how to draw a muscle daddy. The artist has a tradition of celebrating the holiday season with a new collection of illustrations every year. Here are some of our favorites.
Perhaps you were looking for something a little more photorealistic? Your Christmas wishes have been answered with these illustrations from Barcelona-based artist Rene Farias.
Tell me you couldn’t see this art by Dante Amoretto featured on a chic Christmas card? It would look great on your mantlepiece, ready to show off to old Saint Nick.
No one does gay Christmas art like Byron Power. There’s a Santa for everyone in Bryan’s collection. There’s also a few elves and gingerbread men while you’re at it. Take a look.
He Sees You When You’re Sleeping
Honestly, the gay santa thing is a treasure trove of thirsty art so keep checking back here for even more. In the meantime we hope this is enough to get you through those long winter nights. Happy Holidays!
