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 ?

all 39 comments
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[–] chaosbreon@lemmy.blahaj.zone 33 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

[–] vegivamp@feddit.nl 18 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.

[–] SoLongThx4TheFish@feddit.de 8 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.

[–] csolisr@communities.azkware.net 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

[–] fangleone2526@lemmy.fmhy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

they also make a pink one i think!

[–] Rhabuko@feddit.de 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 🌠

[–] Ziggurat@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 year ago

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

[–] Skyler@kbin.social 13 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!

[–] Cloak@lemmy.ml 15 points 1 year ago

Please report shitheads. We do not allow shitheads.

[–] JasSmith@kbin.social 13 points 1 year ago (2 children)

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

[–] can@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago

How efficient

[–] VonReposti@feddit.dk 3 points 1 year ago

Well, "blåhaj" to be precise

[–] kate@lemmy.uhhoh.com 12 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

[–] Kurt@lemmy.one 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] estebiu@kbin.social 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

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

[–] Kurt@lemmy.one 4 points 1 year ago

Sorry, pal. I just like hyperlinks.

[–] can@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

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

[–] sunshine@kbin.social 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

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.

[–] LadyAutumn@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 year ago

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

[–] Neeps@feddit.online 7 points 1 year ago

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

[–] HidingCat@kbin.social 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

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

[–] Firefly7@lemmy.blahaj.zone 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.

[–] Firefly7@lemmy.blahaj.zone 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.