Thank You AGayADay, and Farewell

AGayADay. If you don't know who they are, either you're not very active on the YouTube LGBT scene, or you've been living under a rock and missing out on the greatest, gayest awesomeness that's been out there for the last three years.

AGayADay, or AGAD (pronounced a-gad), is the biggest active gay collab channel on YouTube. But sadly, Roman (voodoovlong) who posts on Tuesdays announced that the collab channel will be permanently ending this Friday.

But don't worry! There's still this week left. In the meantime, let's take a look back at some of the golden AGAD moments...

The collab started back in September 2009 with Simon (sighmoansays) on Mondays, Roman (voodoovlong) on Tuesdays, Darren (jollygreen303) on Wednesdays, Luan (luanlegacy) on Thursdays and Brandon (SomeoneToShoutFor) on Fridays. The schedule and the gays remained the same for two years until Luan left his place on the channel to Andrew (lepreas).

From the week they began until the final weeks, AGAD have had some crazy themes, some thoughtful ones and some educational ones. The variety on this channel is really what made it so interesting. Combine that with some truly talented YouTubers and you have a recipe for success. In the three years the collab has been running, these guys have been viewed over 12,500,000 times and subscribed-to over 47,000 times.

They never did many LGBT-themed weeks and although some people criticize them for that, I think it was a good thing. The gays were just themselves. That's what everyone wants to see. In the QUILTBAG community, it's all too easy to get caught up in the drama of the news, the plethora of sexual and asexual orientations, gender identities and the like. I'm not saying we should be ignorant or anything, it's just that these guys were just being themselves and that is something that is comforting to a lot of gay guys who are just coming to terms with their sexuality.

When I first began to accept my sexuality, back in May 2011, after years and years of being in denial, AGAD's videos were some of the first that I came across. I gradually grew more and more comfortable with watching them, and the fact that the members of the channel were so diverse really helped me explore more and more of the gay community. For example, Brandon was quite masculine whereas Roman and Luan were quite feminine. At first, I couldn't watch Roman and Luan. I just didn't feel comfortable. I guess there was still some inner homophobia preventing me from clicking 'play'. But when I did, I started to enjoy their videos more and more. One day I actually sat down and watched all of Roman's videos on AGAD and on his channel, as well as all of Luan's. It's a decision I really don't regret!

Simon

"The gay man of colour" on the channel because he looked Mexican in his audition video. The nickname stuck and the videos just got better. I don't think I can remember a video on AGAD where you were in any way negative or down. You come across as a really positive person who looks on the bright side of things. This was something that was reassuring when I had just come to accept my sexuality. It was comforting to see that I wouldn't be miserable my whole life like I thought I would be. You helped give me hope for a better tomorrow.

Roman

I love Roman's style and his obscenely witty character. You can always know that when Roman posts a video, you're going to laugh non-stop for the next 3 minutes or so. He's cheered me, and many a YouTuber, up on many occasions I'm sure. Never afraid to dress up or just be himself on camera, he has made some hilarious videos over the last three years. It's just a shame he doesn't post much on his personal channel, but maybe now that AGAD is coming to an end we'll start to see more of him? The video attached is from one of the first weeks of AGAD, Roman's videos were already awesome.

Darren

Darren! Oh Darren. The rapping, the sarcasm, the shameless "I'm going to eat in this video, get over it" videos... Priceless. You built AGAD into an amazing channel and your choice of YouTubers was definitely a good one. Not only that, but setting up a collab channel myself, I know how hard it is to find people who are interested and then to get it working. I know that running a collab is harder than people might think and it's a lot of work making sure everyone is committed and posting. Thank you so much for starting something that has helped other gay guys across the globe and made them laugh at the same time. It takes a certain talent, and all the guys on AGAD have it. Where you called 5awesomegays "the gay collab channel", I have to disagree and say that for me, AGayADay was "the gay collab channel".

Luan

You were there from the beginning and helped make the channel what it is today. From the day you joined you grew so much as a YouTuber. To me, you're up there with the YouTube greats like Kingsley, except that I prefer your videos to Kingsley's. Your video style is brilliant. You can rant about anything from a composition notebook to a stupid lost girl and make it so funny and entertaining to watch. It takes a certain talent to rant too. A lot of people end up just sounding as if they're moaning when they rant (which they are) but you are genuinely funny whereas others can tend to come across as just plain dull. When you left last year, a lot of subscribers (myself included) were sad to see you go.

Andrew

Your videos are different to the other guys' because you show that true British eccentricity, plus a lot of awkwardness which makes it entertaining to watch. You were replacing Luan and you did a great job. I'm sure you'll go far after AGAD as will all the guys, whether it's through YouTube or in writing which you're very talented at. On your personal channel you do a great job at educating the Yanks on how to make a cup of tea and the like. Jolly good show!

Brandon

I've watched all of Brandon's videos on his channel too, and found them useful. That's why I use them a lot in my posts here on Freedom Requires Wings. He has a lot of good advice to give, and it's easier and more enjoyable to watch a video than it is to read a forum or an article about coming out. Brandon has helped me a lot with everything from straight crushes to coming out to friends. I am yet to come across any videos that are just as useful on YouTube. He makes his point clear, he gets to the point, and he says it in a way that isn't aggressive, but still makes you want to get a hold of yourself. On AGAD people said he was like "a mailbox", I have to agree, but no-one can deny he has good advice to give and his mailbox-y character made his videos entertaining to watch.