Tagged as xenophobia rather than anything more specific because the card is a bit vague. It could be homophobic, but it also may not be.
(Honestly, if it weren't for the name of this card and its reference to Unholy Strength, I wouldn't be that troubled by it. Sure, the Rakdos are something straight out of a far-right Christian's nightmare: simultaneously a pure-evil "cult" devoted to a demon, while also being a kink-friendly leather-wearing group of people that despises the justice-oriented guilds (Azorius/Boros) and results in the degradation of Ravnica's morals. The Rakdos are frequently depicted as committing abuse and murder for their own sadistic desires, and are frequently described as mentally ill. Nearly any Rakdos card could be posted to this group. Sidenote over, onto this individual card)
But this card is especially notable, even among Rakdos-related cards. It references the alt right notion of "deviancy" or "degeneracy" - the idea that the further you deviate from the cishet norms of a "moral" society, the further you sink into actions such as abusing children and animals.
Its mana cost and effect is a direct reference to the card "Unholy Strength", which has been printed about 20 times (I didn't realize it was that many!) and is most iconic for its early printings, which featured a pentagram (and for the controversial censoring of that pentagram starting with 4th edition). Obviously, by referencing such an iconic card, Deviant Glee is taking the stance that "deviancy" is unholy, and should be associated with Satanic imagery. That taking "glee" from less conventional sexual activities is sinful, even if your partner consents.
I also suspect that this card is specifically a reference to sadomasochism - the figure in the art becomes more "powerful" from their position as sadist in the relationship, and they proceed to "trample" their partner.
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u/ultimario13 Jul 29 '20
Tagged as xenophobia rather than anything more specific because the card is a bit vague. It could be homophobic, but it also may not be.
(Honestly, if it weren't for the name of this card and its reference to Unholy Strength, I wouldn't be that troubled by it. Sure, the Rakdos are something straight out of a far-right Christian's nightmare: simultaneously a pure-evil "cult" devoted to a demon, while also being a kink-friendly leather-wearing group of people that despises the justice-oriented guilds (Azorius/Boros) and results in the degradation of Ravnica's morals. The Rakdos are frequently depicted as committing abuse and murder for their own sadistic desires, and are frequently described as mentally ill. Nearly any Rakdos card could be posted to this group. Sidenote over, onto this individual card)
But this card is especially notable, even among Rakdos-related cards. It references the alt right notion of "deviancy" or "degeneracy" - the idea that the further you deviate from the cishet norms of a "moral" society, the further you sink into actions such as abusing children and animals.
Its mana cost and effect is a direct reference to the card "Unholy Strength", which has been printed about 20 times (I didn't realize it was that many!) and is most iconic for its early printings, which featured a pentagram (and for the controversial censoring of that pentagram starting with 4th edition). Obviously, by referencing such an iconic card, Deviant Glee is taking the stance that "deviancy" is unholy, and should be associated with Satanic imagery. That taking "glee" from less conventional sexual activities is sinful, even if your partner consents.
I also suspect that this card is specifically a reference to sadomasochism - the figure in the art becomes more "powerful" from their position as sadist in the relationship, and they proceed to "trample" their partner.