Any Other LGBT Gamers Here?

[Tyler Trahan]

I call myself "Bisexual" to those who I disclose that information to (the number is very small), but I guess it's more like pansexual. I certainly prefer femininity to masculinity and have only "dated" women but I have my experiences. For simplicity's sake I say bisexual but pansexual probably fits my bill better.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I call myself "Bisexual" to those who I disclose that information to (the number is very small), but I guess it's more like pansexual. I certainly prefer femininity to masculinity and have only "dated" women but I have my experiences. For simplicity's sake I say bisexual but pansexual probably fits my bill better.

Well, bisexuality covers the entire center of the Kinsey scale (3-5), so yeah. Pansexuality is more like one of those terms that narrows the focus down, like androsexual or gynosexual. It's useful for describing what kind of bisexual you are, but it's mostly useful because bisexual is a huge range of people and often describes people who fall into other categories (such as trans) as well.

Edit: Let me clarify, since my post might be misconstrued.

Bisexual ONLY means "the middle of the Kinsey scale". It was a term invented by Kinsey to describe the middle of his scale. That is all.

Many people want to attribute other meanings or subtly to the word. They make a big deal out of the "bi" in bisexual. However, all those meanings that they add to the word aren't really there - it only means the middle of the Kinsey Scale. Not the exact center (4) but that number and those around it, the 'leaning' numbers.

Edit 2: Also, if you prefer femininity, then I believe that actually makes you gynosexual (rather than pansexual). A gynosexual is a bisexual who prefers feminine people regardless of their actual sex.

On page 4 I liked to another thread discussing this where one of the participants (the OP I believe) identified as a gynosexual. Which is where I first heard the term used, actually.

A pansexual wouldn't prefer feminine people over masculine people; a pansexual would be attracted to both equally often. Hence "pan" meaning all.

For example, I like masculine men, masculine women, feminine men, and feminine women (and a few other variations beside). I'm pretty much an archetypical pansexual style bisexual.

Edit 3: Here's a link to that other thread I keep mentioning:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.402977-Gender-is-not-a-social-construct?page=1

Enjoy the "Genderbread Man" image. I did.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

That... that is very convincing. I am almost swayed into changing acronym use. My only concern is that the word is too cute. I fear it might undermine serious conversations about LGBT+ rights, hate crimes and other similar topics out of sheer, jarring tonal whiplash.

I use 'GLBTIQ' out of practical necessity; it's the only accepted term in both the Schools of Psychology and Social Sciences at my Uni.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I use 'GLBTIQ' out of practical necessity; it's the only accepted term in both the Schools of Psychology and Social Sciences at my Uni.

Yikes. Have you tried them on Quiltbag? It includes all of those and then some, plus it is way easier to say. I bet if you start, it will catch on. ^^

Okay, I'm getting manic. I was about to make a joke about quilting. Time for bed.

 

[Darken12]

I use 'GLBTIQ' out of practical necessity; it's the only accepted term in both the Schools of Psychology and Social Sciences at my Uni.

Interesting, I am currently using LGBT+, but it's a bit dismissive to reduce the rest of the umbrella to a plus sign.

 

[Simon Pettersson]

Well I am Bisexual and try to do my part in getting out information about my brothers and sisters in LGBT.
Thou i'm not that active.
And welcome to the Escapist

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

I use 'GLBTIQ' out of practical necessity; it's the only accepted term in both the Schools of Psychology and Social Sciences at my Uni.

Yikes. Have you tried them on Quiltbag? It includes all of those and then some, plus it is way easier to say. I bet if you start, it will catch on. ^^

If I tried I'd get marked the same as I would if I'd used a nonsense or offensive term, which is bad enough but with Social Sciences I'd probably get an appointment with my professor for a stern talking to on appropriate and acceptable language and terms for academic discourse as well, which would a pain in the arse for both of us.

 

[vallorn]

Im bisexual with a steady but open relationship with the man of my life. Im also somewhat genderqueer and can happily fit into any gender at the time... which can be quite odd sometimes.

 

[Silly Hats]

Even though I haven't been here for that long, these sort of threads have helped me understand my own perspective on these sort of things. But anyway...

I have been relatively asexual for a while now, I don't have a preference especially if I genuinely like the person that I would be with, regardless of who they are. Whether or not that would be considered Pansexual - I don't exactly care. I've just had some shitty things happen the past few years and understanding 'that aspect' has eased up some pressure on myself.

I have grown up with a lot of introspective and emotional elements in my life and I seem to be drawn more towards an honest relationship rather than shallow and meaningless relations. Though it's just not considered to be "Alpha-Male", there is a lack of understanding about what makes a person who they are not fitting the stereotyped gender that they are.

Unfortunately in the society that we live in, everything and everyone needs to be sorted and organized so we know how to treat people once we know what they are like.

I admire people that have themselves figured out and are happy enough.

 

[Raspbryl]

Even though I haven't been here for that long, these sort of threads have helped me understand my own perspective on these sort of things. But anyway...

I have been relatively asexual for a while now, I don't have a preference especially if I genuinely like the person that I would be with, regardless of who they are. Whether or not that would be considered Pansexual - I don't exactly care. I've just had some shitty things happen the past few years and understanding 'that aspect' has eased up some pressure on myself.

I have grown up with a lot of introspective and emotional elements in my life and I seem to be drawn more towards an honest relationship rather than shallow and meaningless relations. Though it's just not considered to be "Alpha-Male", there is a lack of understanding about what makes a person who they are not fitting the stereotyped gender that they are.

Unfortunately in the society that we live in, everything and everyone needs to be sorted and organized so we know how to treat people once we know what they are like.

I admire people that have themselves figured out and are happy enough.

I can pretty much agree with all of that.
I spent quite a while trying to figure out my place in things..
but ultimately never found an answer, deciding hey, I just roll with whatever, no need to lock myself into a restrictive system.

I honestly used to care a lot about it but I'd be hard pressed to tell you why..

 

[Something Amyss]

Pansexuality is more like one of those terms that narrows the focus down, like androsexual or gynosexual.

No.

If anything, pansexuality broadens the term. In fact, the big controversy there is that many bisexuals argue that the term "pansexuality" is unnecessary, as bisexual covers it all. Others say, well...They say "no."

Pansexuality also does NOT mean "all things equally."

Finally, use of the word "bisexual" goes back to the 19th century at least, so no. Kinsey did not invent the word. Nor does it exclusively mean ANYTHING related to the Kinsey scale. Of course, even if he did...Words evolve. It's funny how language changes. The current use would be valid even if Kinsey had intended it only one way.

Hell, Shakespeare made up words we use in a different context today.

Please. Know what you're talking about.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

If I tried I'd get marked the same as I would if I'd used a nonsense or offensive term, which is bad enough but with Social Sciences I'd probably get an appointment with my professor for a stern talking to on appropriate and acceptable language and terms for academic discourse as well, which would a pain in the arse for both of us.

....???

What kind of college doesn't allow for discourse? I don't even know what to say about that. Isn't the point of college to examine new and emergent trends and add them to the discourse?

That they would be unwilling to even examine a new term is bizarre.

 

[Combustion Kevin]

straight, white, male and bland, but still support you guys.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

If anything, pansexuality broadens the term. In fact, the big controversy there is that many bisexuals argue that the term "pansexuality" is unnecessary, as bisexual covers it all. Others say, well...They say "no."

You kinda missed my point. I said it was a necessary term.

Please. Know what you're talking about.

Bisexuality was first defined in a meaningful way by Kinsey. You are technically correct in that it was used in the VERY late 1800s. However, it was often confused with hermaphroditic. So yeah, not very useful. Kinsey gave the term meaning.

It would be very nice if you knew what you were talking about, but I am trying very hard not to have an argument about this. Again. This has been such a nice thread so far.

I find it very upsetting when people misrepresent bisexuality.

If you would like to provide an alternative description of what pansexuality means, go ahead. I have yet to have more than three self-identified pansexuals provide the same description, hence my confusion. It is a very broad term that encompasses many people.

And if you begin stating that bisexuals are limited to only male and female individuals, not intersex or transexual individuals, then I will call you out on bullshit. Because that has nothing at all to do with the definition of bisexual.

Words can evolve all they want - defined terms are defined terms.

Here... have a genderbread person. Isn't this a cute image?

Edit: As much as I tried not to, this post came off as angry. Look, this is not the place to do this. If you want to discuss this, PM me, okay? We can talk privately, discuss terms, and hopefully come to a mutual understanding.

 

[Something Amyss]

You kinda missed my point. I said it was a necessary term.

You also refered to it within the context of narrowing the field. It does the opposite. Sorry, but you want me to go off what you say you meant, not what you actually said.

Bisexuality was first defined in a meaningful way by Kinsey. You are technically correct in that it was used in the VERY late 1800s. However, it was often confused with hermaphroditic. So yeah, not very useful. Kinsey gave the term meaning.

Actually, as a term for "hermaphroditic," it dates back to the early nineteenth century. As a word to refer to liking both sexes it dates back o the late 19th. Kinsey didn't give it a meaningful definition; he gave it a pedantic one. If that's what you want, fine. Just don't pretend otherwise.

This has been such a nice thread so far.

It is. So don't muck it up with falsehoods.

I find it very upsetting when people misrepresent bisexuality.

Then don't do it. You're in the wrong here. Don't get upset that people are using the term wrong when you are those people. Further, if you don't think this sort of thing belongs in this thread, don't bring it in here. I merely replied to what was already brought up by you.

It is a very broad term that encompasses many people.

Well, duh. That's kind of the point. Irony intended, or....

And if you begin stating that bisexuals are limited to only male and female individuals, not intersex or transexual individuals, then I will call you out on bullshit. Because that has nothing at all to do with the definition of bisexual.

Because ponies, right?

I already addressed this, actually. Did you even read what I wrote before arguing with me?

Words can evolve all they want - defined terms are defined terms.

And those defined terms evolve as well. For example, homosexuality and bisexuality are no longer defined as mental disorders.
I find it funny that you are talking "defined terms" as though they're static, and then opting to pull out lack of consensus when it comes to pansexuality, even as there's lack of consensus as to what bisexuality is.

 

[xmbts]

snip

Welcome.

As you can see there's plenty of people of many identities and orientations.

snip

You! It's been too long.

snip.

You as well! Good to see you people about.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Then don't do it. You're in the wrong here.

No. I'm not. Nothing you have said is any more true or correct than what I have said.

Actually, you haven't offered any thoughts of your own other than "I don't like what you said". Our last several posts pretty much amount to "is so, is not, is so, is not" - a fact of which I am as guilty of as you.

I already addressed this, actually. Did you even read what I wrote before arguing with me?

**rereads your previous post**

What you wrote where? You didn't address that comment one way or another in your post to me. Or do you mean elsewhere in the thread?

Also, I offered to discuss this in PM. Perhaps you were already replying to my post, and didn't see the edit. However, there is no excuse this time. I will not continue arguing in this thread. If you want to clarify what you mean and see if we can get past what I'm fairly sure are semantic differences, then we can talk privately. One way or another, I am done discussing this in thread. It is off-topic and destructive, and I will not be a part of it.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

What kind of college doesn't allow for discourse? I don't even know what to say about that.

They allow for discourse, they're just strict on what terminology they allow in academic discourse. The basic theory being that having standard, clinical terms means less ammo for shit-stirrers and drama queens to cause a fuss.

Isn't the point of college to examine new and emergent trends and add them to the discourse?

Not for undergrads, especially not at a research university.

That they would be unwilling to even examine a new term is bizarre.

Until it starts appearing in papers from prominent Social Science academics as well as in wider discourse from the GLBTIQ communties it won't change at my Uni.

 

[Church185]

Well, I'm still new to the Escapist, and I've come out of the closet recently as transgendered. It always helps, I find, to make friends with like minded people. Nice to have support, aye?

So, just of out curiosity, any other trans gamers on the Escapist? I'd hate to be alone here.

I'm not gay or transgender myself, but welcome to The Escapist! Hopefully your stay will be as pleasant as mine has been.

 

[That Guy Ya Know]

Here... have a genderbread person. Isn't this a cute image?

Here have genderbread version 2.0.

Personally I prefer this because it has asexuality on it, which includes me! Well technically I'm autosexual; orgasms are nice but the idea of sharing them with anyone else is icky and weird and just plain creepy.

As for the original topic:
Hi! Hope you enjoy it here, we certainly seem to have a decent number of trans folk here so you shouldn't alone.