It’s been a tough year for the LGBTQ+ community. The “Don’t Say Gay” bill that became legislation in Florida is just one of nearly 250 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been filed so far in 2022 – and several other states are looking to follow suit. Marriage equality and gender-affirming healthcare have become endangered in the U.S. On top of all of this, Lena Dunham felt there is no better time than the present to center herself, yet again, this time in the discourse around true allyship, essentially declaring herself a gay icon.

 

A recent tweet of hers sent Twitter users haywire after she insisted that upon her death, her casket be driven through the NYC pride parade, like some sort of staple float, with a plaque lauding her support for the LGBTQ+ community. 

It’s not that Lena doesn’t have a record of “supporting” the LGBTQ+ community. In 2016, she produced a documentary called Suited, which was about a tailoring company named Bindle & Keep that served transgender clients who had trouble finding formalwear. She’s been vocal about her support for her non-binary sibling, Cyrus Grace Dunham. But does that warrant a procession? 

As tempted as I am to join the droves of writers who are diving deep into their thoughts and pulling out all the receipts of Lena’s history of problematic behaviour, from accusing Odell Beckham Jr. of not wanting to f*ck her at the Met Gala, to publicly trying to discredit a victim of sexual assault, what more is there to say? 

 

Instead, let’s spotlight a few of the tweets that brought a bit of reprieve in the form of much-needed laughter to the timeline. First, there’s this tweet by Huw Lemmey, the host of the Bad Gays podcast, suggesting the heterosexual community is responsible for the “safe disposal” of Lena, not the gays.

Then, this tweet by Alex Goldman, who says he once recorded an interview with Lena for the Reply All podcast. The interview was about how much abuse she suffered online. His team made the decision not to run it, and almost immediately after, she began her years-long run of putting her self-absorption and cluelessness on full display, solidifying the fact that he and his team exercised impeccable judgment.

Next is this tweet by a user named Eleanor, who really encapsulates the conflict so many of Lena’s fans experience. They’re often torn between their respect and admiration for Lena’s writing and shows, like Girls and Industry, but thrown off by her inability to think critically before she says, does and posts almost anything. 

 

This Twitter user is suggesting her photo beside Lena’s casket at the NYC pride parade will be something similar to an image of Nicole Kidman and renowned garbage can inhabitant Oscar the Grouch. Ouch.

The same user also posted this tweet about her desire to start living her life with as much confidence as Lena that has led her to believe she’s an LGBTQ+ icon. It’s true. If I were as confident about anything, or committed to anything as much as Lena is to making herself the centre of attention in any given situation, I feel like I’d be a lot further ahead in life. And a lot richer. You know that inside voice that scares you away from doing things? I and most humans have that. Lena? She does not.

This Twitter user found the perfect snippet of Gayle King and Oprah that doubles as a very accurate response to Lena’s tweet.

 

And lastly, there’s this tweet, which makes it clear that even if Lena somehow arranged her death close enough to pride that this would be possible, such arrangements are reserved for a true gay icon, like Cher. 

With stars like Lena Dunham and Kanye West who have a proven pattern of being problematic, it really has become easier to let the memes do the talking. There’s only so much that can be said, and there’s only so many thinkpieces that can be written. The emotional and intellectual output that is required to constantly critique and wish for more from people we once respected is exhausting and soul-crushing. So rather than continue to tire ourselves out, just let there be laughter.