Lydia Deetz Is Such A Progressive '90s Heroine

I’m a big supporter of all goth girls in media (you know, all six of them not including myself), but I have a special love for Beetlejuice’s Lydia Deetz. Between Winona Ryder’s recent role on Netflix’s Stranger Things and whispers of a forever-delayed Beetlejuice sequel in the works, that love is definitely amplified recently. And maybe you’ve long written off Lydia as a simple beacon of teen angst, but let me tell you, that little goth girl is totally a feminist princess in disguise. And if you can’t see Lydia Deetz as a feminist, maybe you’re just not watching Beetlejuice closely enough.

Because of her early ambitions, strong sense of self, and decidedly progressive values, Lydia is totally a role model for us all. You may not know this, but Lydia cared about the Ghost Rights long before any of you started a Tumblr on it. So um, yeah, we should all look up to how she manages to be so enlightened in all those black clothes of hers. And I know just where to start.

For definite proof, these are all the examples of Lydia Deetz was a feminist inspiration. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the Beetlejuice TV show...

1. When She Showed Up On The Scene With A Passion

Listen, Lydia's not the first teenage girl who shows an interest in photography, but our girl cares enough about the art that they're setting up a dark room. Look at those early ambitions.

2. When She Remained Committed To Her Own Authentic Brand

Speaking of dark rooms, when Lydia complains that her whole life is a dark room, Delia chirps, "So you were miserable in New York City, and now you're going to be miserable out here in the sticks." Uh, yeah, Delia. Lydia knows that you can't just abandon your brand, and her entire brand is black lace and misery.

3. And Subsequently, When She Didn’t Bow To Societal Expectations Of Maintaining A Perpetually Happy Demeanor

This is sort of an "always" thing versus a particular moment, but you get what I mean. Don't bother asking Lydia to smile.

4. When She Read Literature Pertaining To People With Differing Identities

Lydia's so open-minded, you can tell she really cares about intersectional supernatural feminism.

5. When She Was Able To Celebrate Her Unique Persona Instead Of Feeling Down About Being Unliked By Other People

Lydia's acceptance of being strange and unusual, in fact all of the spiked-bangs and mourning hats suggest that there's a lot of self-love in being different. She is a walking Dove commercial. Basically.

6. When She Was Surprisingly Low-Key About Implied Kink

I mean, she's decidedly grossed out by the idea of her dad and stepmom doing some weird ghost role-play (understandably), but otherwise she's fine as long as they keep it in the bedroom. So open-minded.

7. When She Spoke Her Mind At The Dinner Table

And when she spoke her mind always, but particularly when she wasn't afraid to speak up about specters in front of her stepmom's bourgeois friends. Bold.

8. When She Accepted Unconventional Family Situations Way Before Her Traditional Parents Did

Lydia's down with hanging out with the Maitlands, but her parents? They just see ghosts as casual entertainment. You know deep down Delia and Charles are the kind of people who don't believe ghosts should adopt.

9. When She’s Seen At The End Wearing Black Crinoline With Her School Uniform, Which Clearly Showcases That She Can Now See Herself In A Community With Other Women But Also Wants To Retain Her Own Individuality

... or she just thought it looked cute. Maybe that one is a bit of a stretch.

Images: Giphy (12)