LEGO Gatekeepers and why they don't matter

Why You Should Ignore the Lego Gatekeepers

If you are an AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego), you probably enjoy building your own creations, or MOCs (My Own Creations), with Lego bricks. You may also like to display your MOCs, share them online, or even sell them to other Lego enthusiasts. But have you ever encountered someone who tells you that you are doing it wrong? Someone who says that you should not glue your Lego bricks together, or that you are not a real Lego fan if you do? These people are called Lego gatekeepers, and they are not worth your time or attention.

Lego gatekeeping is a form of elitism that tries to exclude or shame people who do not follow a certain set of rules or standards when it comes to Lego. Lego gatekeepers may claim that they are protecting the integrity or purity of Lego, but in reality, they are just being narrow-minded and arrogant. They are missing the whole point of Lego, which is to have fun and be creative.

There are many reasons why you should ignore the Lego gatekeepers and enjoy Lego the way you want to. Here are some of them:

- **Gluing your Lego bricks is not a crime.**

Some Lego gatekeepers may argue that gluing your Lego bricks is a sacrilege, that it destroys the reusability and versatility of Lego, and that it goes against the spirit of Lego. But this is nonsense. Gluing your Lego bricks is a personal choice that does not harm anyone or anything. It may have some advantages, such as making your MOCs more stable, durable, and resistant to dust or damage. It may also have some disadvantages, such as making your MOCs more difficult to modify, repair, or disassemble. But ultimately, it is up to you to decide what works best for you and your MOCs. There is no right or wrong way to use Lego, as long as you are having fun and being respectful of others.

- **Lego is for everyone.**

Some Lego gatekeepers may try to exclude or belittle people who do not fit their idea of what a Lego fan should be. They may discriminate based on age, gender, race, culture, or any other factor that has nothing to do with Lego. But this is absurd. Lego is a universal toy that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their background or identity. Lego is a tool for expression, imagination, and learning, that can bring people together, not apart. Lego is for everyone who loves Lego, and no one has the right to tell you otherwise.

- **Lego is about creativity, not conformity.**

Some Lego gatekeepers may insist that you should only build according to the official instructions, or that you should only use certain parts, colors, or themes. They may criticize or mock your MOCs if they do not meet their standards or expectations. But this is ridiculous. Lego is about creativity, not conformity. Lego is about exploring, experimenting, and discovering new possibilities, not following rules or limitations. Lego is about expressing yourself, not pleasing others. Your MOCs are your own creations, and you should be proud of them, not ashamed of them.

So, the next time you encounter a Lego gatekeeper, do not let them ruin your Lego experience. Ignore them, block them, or report them if they are being rude or abusive. Remember that you are not alone, and that there are many other AFOLs who support you and appreciate your MOCs. Remember that you are a Lego fan, and that you have the right to enjoy Lego the way you want to. And most importantly, remember that Lego is fun, and that you should never let anyone take that away from you.