Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Queer?

[Barry]

A new user, after running the gamut of our rather extensive relationship status choices suggested that I change both lesbian and gay references to queer, and for that matter bi-sexual (which I seem to have omitted) and transsexual could be combined into queer as well.

What do you think? What's the currently accepted nomenclature?

Straightly,
Barry

[Valley Oak]

I would increase the number of gender identities to the maximum used by one of the biggest organizations fighting against Proposition 8, "Marriage Equality USA:"
Marriage Equality USA (https://www.marriageequality.org)

MEUSA has 7 gender identities available to choose from on their "Join Now" page where you can become a member of a truly worthy civil rights movement:
Marriage Equality USA Join Now (https://www.marriageequality.org/index.php?page=join-now)

They are listed as follows:
Lesbian
Gay
Bisexual
Transgender
Intersex
Questioning/Queer
Straight

Hope this helps,

Edward


A new user, after running the gamut of our rather extensive relationship status choices suggested that I change both lesbian and gay references to queer, and for that matter bi-sexual (which I seem to have omitted) and transsexual could be combined into queer as well.

What do you think? What's the currently accepted nomenclature?

Straightly,
Barry

[justme]

You forgot "none of the above"... BTW nice avatar Valley Oak!

["Mad" Miles]

Barry, Everybody,

Instead of a list that attempts to define all of the possible permutations and combinations of sexual preference and identity, why not a blank where the individual themself can choose their own descriptors?

Instead of "heterosexual single male", I might choose something like: "polymorphically perverse intellectual yet lethargic product of a post-industrial capitalist society with all of the attendant proclivities and interests therein implied!"

My problem with the list that Edward/Valley Oak provided is that the order implies a rank of preference. With heterosexual listed last, I feel slighted. Whoever listed last will be able to claim the same.

Also the whole gay vs. lesbian distinction is not a done deal and from what little I know, not being in that scene, there's a slow bubbling controversy that I don't think it is the place of non-homosexual's to take sides in.

I was once, in the early nineties, chastized in Madison Wisconsin by a young self-described lesbian, who was sleeping with a male friend of mine, for calling lesbians "gay". She sternly informed me that only male homosexuals were called that and that it was an insult, and a subsumption of their identity, to describe women homosexuals that way.

This was news to me, and I try to stay informed on such issues. Later I did a casual poll, with the lesbians I was acqainted with in Chicago. They assured me there was no such stricture on the use of gay, and that to claim there was, was divisive and discriminatory.

Do we on waccobb want to enter into separatist controversies on the say of individuals who may or may not represent the opinion of their community?

Instead of opening that and other cans of worms, why not let everyone define what kind of worm they are, or want to be, or whatever....

And in the end, does anyone really, really, really give a shit about defining their own sexuality in a public forum? Yes, I know this is for the "relationships" category. I mean, to whatever extent one is willing to acknowledge it, aren't we all stuck on this little blue ball together?

My proposal allows people to call themselves whatever they want. Or not if they don't.

"Mad" Miles

:burngrnbounce:

[Yip]

I think it can make a difference to see what orientation a person has in certain discussions.
I don't think a hetero opposing comment on same sex marriage has the same impact as the same comment coming from a gay individual.
I am not aware of any gay people opposing equal rights, but I am aware of some rumblings of not wanting to be the same.




And in the end, does anyone really, really, really give a shit about defining their own sexuality in a public forum? Yes, I know this is for the "relationships" category. I mean, to whatever extent one is willing to acknowledge it, aren't we all stuck on this little blue ball together?

My proposal allows people to call themselves whatever they want. Or not if they don't.

"Mad" Miles

:burngrnbounce:

[babaruss]

What ever happened to the simple but all encompassing label of 'simply human'.
The world is in a huge mess because of all those people who want special recognition. And all those people who refuse to give them that recognition.
So 'hey everybody out there' 'I recognize you, and support your right to express your evolving presence in anyway you wish'...add the obvious caveates here________ !
Babaruss


Barry, Everybody,

Instead of a list that attempts to define all of the possible permutations and combinations of sexual preference and identity, why not a blank where the individual themself can choose their own descriptors?

Instead of "heterosexual single male", I might choose something like: "polymorphically perverse intellectual yet lethargic product of a post-industrial capitalist society with all of the attendant proclivities and interests therein implied!"

My problem with the list that Edward/Valley Oak provided is that the order implies a rank of preference. With heterosexual listed last, I feel slighted. Whoever listed last will be able to claim the same.

Also the whole gay vs. lesbian distinction is not a done deal and from what little I know, not being in that scene, there's a slow bubbling controversy that I don't think it is the place of non-homosexual's to take sides in.

I was once, in the early nineties, chastized in Madison Wisconsin by a young self-described lesbian, who was sleeping with a male friend of mine, for calling lesbians "gay". She sternly informed me that only male homosexuals were called that and that it was an insult, and a subsumption of their identity, to describe women homosexuals that way.

This was news to me, and I try to stay informed on such issues. Later I did a casual poll, with the lesbians I was acqainted with in Chicago. They assured me there was no such stricture on the use of gay, and that to claim there was, was divisive and discriminatory.

Do we on waccobb want to enter into separatist controversies on the say of individuals who may or may not represent the opinion of their community?

Instead of opening that and other cans of worms, why not let everyone define what kind of worm they are, or want to be, or whatever....

And in the end, does anyone really, really, really give a shit about defining their own sexuality in a public forum? Yes, I know this is for the "relationships" category. I mean, to whatever extent one is willing to acknowledge it, aren't we all stuck on this little blue ball together?

My proposal allows people to call themselves whatever they want. Or not if they don't.

"Mad" Miles

:burngrnbounce:

[ravenwhale]

I would NOT suggest you lump all categories into the one word Queer. I would suggest you lean toward what Valley Oak states and that would be to add more categories.

Simply being human is a great concept. Special recognition has never been the goal, only equal rights. Same sex marriage, serving in the military, etc.

Thanks for posing the question Barry.

Daniel