#373: In this episode, the GT crew dives into These Thems, a hilarious and heartfelt queer comedy series available for free on YouTube. Link introduces the show, which centers around queer identity, community, and education—with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and emotional resonance. The team discusses how These Thems balances humor and inclusivity, offering a fresh take on LGBTQ+ representation without becoming preachy or overly didactic.

Marc, Lara, Josué, and Link reflect on how the show effectively portrays the nuances of queer life—from coming out and pronoun usage to internalized bias within the LGBTQ+ community. Characters like Vero (the “straight whisperer”) and Gretchen (a newly out queer woman) offer diverse entry points for viewers exploring identity, whether for the first time or from a more seasoned perspective. Asher’s storyline, focusing on workplace vulnerability and gender identity, adds depth to the conversation about intersectionality and ongoing learning within the community itself.

The group shares personal stories about how their understanding of queer identities has evolved—touching on moments of ignorance, growth, and the role media has played in that journey. The show prompts a discussion about what it means to truly accept others versus simply tolerating them, and how media like These Thems can provide representation that is both affirming and educational.

The second half of the episode veers into a related but broader media conversation sparked by a viral video essay from YouTuber Hbomberguy, exposing rampant plagiarism by another creator in the queer media space. This leads to a larger discussion about the loss and preservation of queer media history, ethical content creation, and how platforms like YouTube and TikTok enable both community storytelling and exploitation. The team reflects on how important it is to cite sources, credit original creators, and maintain transparency—especially in an age where AI and algorithm-driven content can distort the lines between homage, theft, and innovation.

From comedy to ethics, These Thems and the GT crew remind us that media literacy, queer joy, and representation matter—now more than ever.

Characters / Media Mentioned:

• These Thems (YouTube series)
• Our Flag Means Death
• Grey’s Anatomy
• Shameless
• Book of Queer (Max)
• Hbomberguy / Hbomberman (YouTube essayist)
• James Somerton (YouTuber, referenced for plagiarism)
• Reddit, TikTok, YouTube (as media platforms)
• Minecraft (visuals in Reddit/TikTok bot videos)

Themes / Topics Discussed:

• Queer Identity and Representation
• Gender Identity and Pronouns
• Coming Out and Self-Discovery
• Internalized Prejudice Within Communities
• Education Through Comedy
• Media Literacy and Source Crediting
• AI and the Ethics of Content Creation
• Queer History and Cultural Preservation
• Tolerance vs. Acceptance

Relatable Experiences:

• Discovering Queer Identity Later in Life
• Learning from Past Mistakes and Ignorance
• Working with LGBTQ+ Clients in Therapy
• Navigating Gender Conversations in Clinical Practice
• Finding Community Through Shared Media
• Being Trans or Nonbinary in Professional Spaces
• Witnessing or Experiencing Microaggressions
• Watching Queer Stories as Affirmation or Education

Discuss this episode with us on the Geek Therapy Forum, or connect through our Discord, Mastodon, and other social links at geektherapy.org.

What’s your favorite example of a show using humor to educate?
Have you ever had a moment of “straight whispering”—on either side of the conversation?
How do you think platforms like YouTube and TikTok affect how we share and credit queer stories?