Elliott Knight’s special interests involve Sailor Moon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and especially Transformers.
“I can talk about it for hours. Another talent I have is that I can relate anything back to one of my special interests,” Knight said.
Knight was diagnosed with autism when they were 12 years old. They said that one of the ways it affects them is that they “live in fantasyland.”
“It’s a coping mechanism for a lot of us. It usually happens with those of us whose special interest is a fictional series,” Knight said. “The stereotype with autism is that the special interest is, like, science, or math, or trains, but it can be anything…My special interests helped me cope because, while I didn’t have that many real-life friends, the characters became my friends.”
Transformers was the first special interest that stuck with Knight because of the fun action and diverse characters.
“Before Transformers, I would usually only be into something for one or two years, but I’ve been into Transformers since my senior year of high school. So that’s like, over 10 years now.”
Knight’s favourite character is a Transformer named Red Alert, who suffers from anxiety and paranoia.
“The reason I really clung to him is because, at the time, it was the first time I’d ever seen a mentally-ill character who wasn’t a villain,” Knight said.
Another reason Knight liked it so much was because of the Transformers fan base online and the variety of fan fiction stories they came up with that took place in the Transformers universe. Knight is a big fan of writing ‘fan-fic,’ themselves, so they enjoyed the community of like-minded individuals who they could write stories and talk about Transformers with.
“Another really fun thing with the Transformers fandom is, because it took them so long to actually make actual female characters, it’s just an abundance of dudes and so everyone’s like, okay so these dudes need to be together, like we need romance! And so it’s just a lot of queer stuff,” Knight said. “A lot of my special interests involve queer stuff now.”
Knight identifies as queer and first came out to their parents when they were 11 years old.
“At first I thought I was bisexual,” they said. “I opened the computer, learned what bisexual was, rushed into [my parents’] room — where they were lying down for a rest — and said, ‘Mommy, Daddy, I’m bisexual!’ Ran out. And that was how I came out. I did not realize it was this huge thing.”
Knight said their labels have changed since then and continue to change often.
“It’s gotten to the point that it’s like, when I do come with a new label [my mom is] like, ‘Okay, write it down,’” Knight said. “And it’s gotten to the point where even I have a hard time really describing my romantic and sexual orientation. That’s why I just like the word ‘queer’ because it’s a beautiful umbrella term.”
Knight said ‘queer’ isn’t a term used by all in the LGBTQ+ community, but it’s one that they feel really fits them as a person.
“Not all people in the LGBTQ+ community like the term ‘queer’ because it is considered a ‘reclaimed slur.’ But for many people, like myself, whose identity doesn’t fall neatly in one of the main labels, it’s a godsend.”
Knight is one of the co-founders and leaders of the Kitimat Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), which aims to provide a safe space for those part of the LGBTQ+ community. Knight said they’re working on getting the word out about the group and will try to hold more regular events and meetings once COVID-19 restrictions have lessened.
“It has been hard to get, like, actual meetings and stuff off the ground. And it was going somewhere and then COVID happened,” Knight said. “One thing the queer community is really big on is ‘found family,’ which is essentially, if your biological family doesn’t accept you, we will. And that’s the kind of community I want to cultivate with the GSA.”
Last year, the GSA held a ‘Pride Potluck’ and Knight said they had over 70 people show up to the event, even though it was planned in just about two weeks.
“To me, that’s just a testament to how many people are supportive of what we do and that there’s a need for it,” Knight said. “That just cemented for all of us that there’s support.”
Knight said the Kitimat community has been incredibly caring and supportive of the GSA and the LGBTQ+ community for the most part, but it isn’t always perfect.
“I have found it’s a vocal minority that are the bigoted ones, like making comments about looking forward to doing burnouts on the rainbow crosswalk and stuff,” Knight said. “But I’ve found, and my mom has found…a lot of people are supportive, even if they’re unsure or even confused, like their heart is there. And for me, that’s what matters.”
Going forward, Knight said they want the GSA to grow bigger and provide a safe safe and group for anyone — especially younger kids — who may be curious or feel they’re part of the LGBTQ+ community.
“I know one hope [for the GSA]… is working with the schools, to kind of have education and letting students know that there is an…LGBTQ+ community within the town that, if they’re questioning or if they know, that there are people ready to accept them.”
Knight also said they would love to have a float in the Kitimat Canada Day Parade one year. The decorations?
“Lots of rainbows!” Knight said “I know that sounds like a given but just lots and lots of rainbows!”
Knight also wants to make the GSA a safe space for those with issues such as autism, who may need support from their friends and community. Their hope is to one day volunteer as an autism self-advocate, to help others with autism understand themselves and what they’re going through better.
“I don’t want other autistic people, especially kids, to go through what I went through. I went through a lot of bullying and a lot of confusion, just because I didn’t understand why I was the way I was or why certain things felt the way they did.”
Knight said they want people to feel comfortable talking to them and other members at the GSA, and they hope that they’re able to promote the group and its goals more once they’re able to begin meeting in-person again.
“For people who do feel isolated — like maybe they don’t have a supportive family, or they’re being bullied in school — it is so cliché but it does get better.”
Knight also wants people to know they can message the Kitimat GSA Facebook page anytime if they have any questions or just want to talk.
“And if anyone ever sees me downtown and they want to talk Transformers, I am game!”
clare.rayment@northernsentinel.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter